|
Our country's response to terrorists, natural disasters and illness epidemics (such as the potential of avian flu) shows that resources are available when a crisis is at hand. Alzheimer's disease demands a similar commitment of national will and resources. We call upon the 109th Congress and the Bush administration to make Alzheimer's disease an urgent national priority by:
Increasing funding for Alzheimer RESEARCH
at the National Institutes of Health by $60 million to
maintain the momentum and to hasten discovery of effective
preventions and treatments. Improving MEDICARE for beneficiaries
with Alzheimer's disease by adding a targeted chronic
care management benefit, enhancing existing benefits and
removing barriers to essential care for people with dementia;
providing immediate access to Medicare for people under
age 65 eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance;
and increasing palliative care options for those with
dementia who opt for comfort care over aggressive treatment. Strengthening MEDICAID and LONG-TERM
CARE by ensuring that implementation of the Deficit
Reduction Act protects individuals with Alzheimer's disease
from undue hardship; preserving the value of the Medicaid
program for people with long-term care needs; implementing
the expansion of the Long-Term Care Partnership Programs;
initiating a national dialogue to reach consensus on a
viable solution to the long-term care financing problem;
reauthorizing the Older Americans Act and increasing funding
for the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Continuing funding for unique ALZHEIMER PROGRAMS
that serve people with the disease and their caregivers
and improve the overall health care delivery system, including
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) "Healthy Aging &
Alzheimer's Disease Initiative," the Safe Return Program
and the Administration on Aging (AoA) National Alzheimer's
Call Center and Alzheimer's State Matching Grants Program.
Next: We Must Act Now
|
We call upon the 109th Congress and the Bush administration to make Alzheimer's disease an urgent national priority.
|
