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Congress has the opportunity to help turn the tide against Alzheimer’s and dementia, which impact one in three Americans. Lawmakers can, and must, act now to speed diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
They can do this by unlocking access to proven screenings for Alzheimer’s disease, which could help millions of Americans in coming years.
New blood tests have been found to be very accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s risk. The tests, however, cannot be covered by Medicare, the primary insurance for Americans over the age of 65.
Congress can change the law to require that Medicare covers these tests. This is similar to the situation surrounding breast cancer in the 1980s. Back then, Medicare did not cover mammograms and only 14% of women were screened for breast cancer. After Congress passed a law in 1991 to ensure payment for mammograms, screenings and diagnosis of breast cancers increased dramatically. More women were diagnosed earlier so more women received treatment and survived. The death rate from breast cancer dropped by 44%.
Private insurance tends to follow Medicare, so if the government insurance programs cover these screenings, private insurers will follow suit. Yes, this will cost the federal government money, but so does the treatment of and care for patients with dementia. Health and long-term care costs for Americans with dementia is expected to cost nearly $400 billion this year, and more than double to $1 trillion by 2050.
Early diagnosis and intervention can make a difference. Cognitive exercises, diet and lifestyle changes can keep the disease from worsening. It can also help people maintain their independence and ability to make their own decisions. Fewer than 10% of Americans receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis when these early interventions can make the most difference.
In addition, new treatments exist and are being developed that can slow the disease’s progression. Congress should continue to support this research as the incidence of Alzheimer’s is predicted to double in coming decades.
Sen. Susan Collins has been a staunch advocate for more research, treatment and support for Alzheimer’s patients. She is the lead sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which would allow Medicare to cover blood-based screening tests for dementia. The bill has 40 cosponsors, Democrats and Republicans. Sen. Angus King should join them. Rep. Chellie Pingree is a co-sponsor of the House version of the bill, which Rep. Jared Golden should also support.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy supports broader screening, so there is no reason for this bill to not move forward.
A companion bill, the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act, would improve dementia care training for primary care providers. It would provide grants to help pay for training and education.
At a time when Congress is highly polarized, both bills have bipartisan support, as they should.
Passing these bills would help identify and treat diseases that are increasingly harming Americans. Passing them should be a top priority.
