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Congresswoman Waters Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Make Alzheimer’s Disease an Urgent National Priority

April 30, 2015

Congresswoman Waters Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Make Alzheimer's Disease an Urgent National Priority

Resolution Calls for Significant Increase in Funding for Alzheimer's Research

April 30, 2015

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, introduced a resolution today declaring that the goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease is an urgent national priority. Joining the Congresswoman as original cosponsors of the resolution are three of the leaders of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease: Co-Chair Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA).

"Alzheimer's is a tragic disease with no effective treatment, no means of prevention, nor even a method for slowing the progression of the disease," said Congresswoman Waters. "With five million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and this number expected to almost triple by the year 2050, we must take action now to change the trajectory of this disease!"

"National Alzheimer's Project Act established a concerted federal effort to address the 6th leading cause of death in the United States," said Congressman Smith. "This resolution reaffirms our commitment to meeting the goals and objectives of NAPA—to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025. To do so, we must make a robust investment in research to raise the quality of life for patients and families, as well as reduce future costs."

The resolution declares that achieving the primary goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025 is an urgent national priority. The resolution also states that the House of Representatives strives to significantly increase the amount of funding the United States spends on Alzheimer's research in fiscal year 2016 and develop a plan for fiscal years 2017 through 2020 to spend two billion dollars each year on Alzheimer's research.

"Finding new treatments and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer's disease is critical to the well-being of our country, with the potential to impact the lives of the millions of Americans suffering from the disease and their families. Alzheimer's disease ranks as the most expensive health condition in the United States, and as a nation—and a Congress—we must commit ourselves to solving this national health challenge and move swiftly to take action," said Congressman Fattah. "Increasing our investments in medical research, especially neuroscience, is the best step forward and I am proud to join my colleagues in elevating this as a federal priority."

"The financial and emotional toll of this disease is enormous, and it's growing," said Congressman Garamendi. "Yet for every dollar spent on care for Alzheimer's, we spend less than a penny on research for treatment and prevention. May our dedication and resolve match the urgency and scope of the task before us, transforming the National Plan into an international solution to the Alzheimer's crisis."

The resolution was endorsed by the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. A similar resolution (S.Res. 74) was introduced in the Senate by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on February 12, 2015.

Last month, Reps. Waters, Smith and Garamendi sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requested a $200 million increase in funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2016. Their letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 63 Members of Congress.

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