| New Law Will Establish First-Ever National Strategy for Curing, Mitigating Effects of Alzheimer’s WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House and Senate have passed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (N.A.P.A.) co-authored by Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Chris Smith (R-N.J.), House co-chairs of the Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease. Introduced in February of this year, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act would create the National Alzheimer’s Project which would coordinate government efforts to prevent and treat the disease and create a national strategy for defeating Alzheimer’s. “When America has a game plan, America wins. Passage of this bill means we will help ensure that the federal government better coordinates all of the research and clinical programs dealing with Alzheimer's, which is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States,” said Rep. Markey. This bill requires a plan for beating Alzheimer’s and represents an important step forward in our country’s efforts in this area.” Today, the House gave final passage, by voice vote, to the measure which was championed in the Senate by Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.).The bill is now headed to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law, delivering one of the most significant victories in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in the past three decades. “Unless science finds a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s, nearly 16 million Americans will have the disease by the year 2050. That is going to devastate the families who have a loved ones afflicted with the disease. It will also drain billions in treatment costs from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs,” concluded Markey. “The passage today of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act is a huge step forward in our battle against the crisis of Alzheimer’s disease,” Smith said. “With the incredible devastation of over five million Americans afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease at an estimated cost of over $170 billion – numbers expected to skyrocket in coming years without effective interventions – we need to be sure we are doing everything possible to reverse the course of this disease. By requiring the development of a coordinated, integrated national plan to address Alzheimer’s, N.A.P.A. will provide the framework to accelerate the development of efficacious care and treatments.” Under the legislation, the National Alzheimer’s Project will provide strategic planning and coordination for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease across the federal government. It would be located within the Department of Health and Human Services, be overseen by an advisory council and would coordinate and oversee federal research on Alzheimer’s disease. |
DECEMBER 15, 2010
A Victory in the War on Alzheimer’s
Today, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) has passed, setting the stage for a coordinated national plan to combat Alzheimer’s -- through research, clinical care, institutional, and home- and community-based programs.
“The passage today of the National Alzheimer's Project Act is a momentous legislative victory for the millions of American families profoundly affected by this devastating disease, and the millions more who will be in the future,” said Maria Shriver. “Thanks to the bi-partisan actions of Congress and the leadership of the Alzheimer's Association, the United States is on its way to having a national plan so our country will be prepared to handle this national emergency and advance ourselves toward a cure. This year, we partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to produce The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's, the first comprehensive, multi-disciplinary look at Alzheimer’s disease and its effect on women as caregivers, breadwinners and people living with the disease. The Report made some startling discoveries about the enormous burden of this disease on women, who make up the majority of patients and caregivers, and it underscored the importance of preparing our country's institutions for a future when Alzheimer's looms even larger in all of our lives. I am heartened that our country's lawmakers have made Alzheimer's a strategic priority and answered this critical call to action. Together, we are the hope to defeat this mind-blowing disease.”
As Harry Johns, President & CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, explained, “More than 5 million Americans and their 11 million caregivers face the reality of Alzheimer’s every day. Passage of this critical legislation addresses the need for a coordinated national strategy to overcome this rapidly escalating crisis. The Alzheimer’s Association applauds the dedication and commitment of Maria Shriver. Contributing her energy and passion to the Alzheimer cause, including her partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to produce The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's, she has been a tireless Champion educating the nation’s leaders and the public about the importance of swift, urgent action to deal with Alzheimer’s today and ensure future generations won’t have to endure the devastation of Alzheimer’s.”
The very last step for NAPA to take effect is for the President to sign it into law. Let him know you support it.
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