The Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM), a separately incorporated advocacy affiliate, worked independently and together to the extent allowed by law to continue to advance critical federal and state policy priorities in FY23. In collaboration with their respective dedicated networks of passionate advocates, the Association and AIM achieved numerous successes on Capitol Hill and at the state and local levels.

The Association and AIM were instrumental in the passage of the federal FY23 budget that included a $226 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $33 million to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. The total annual federal investment in Alzheimer's and dementia research is now more than $3.7 billion.

The budget legislation included key provisions of the bipartisan Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer's Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act and language to strengthen the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) accelerated approval pathway. The ENACT Act would expand education and outreach to underserved populations, encouraging the diversity of clinical trial staff and reducing the burden of participation. Strengthening the accelerated pathway will allow people living with an unmet medical need like Alzheimer's or another dementia to gain earlier access to new and innovative treatments.

The Association continued to urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reverse its Alzheimer's treatment coverage policy, which prevented those living with early Alzheimer's from accessing treatments traditionally approved by the FDA. The Association filed a formal request asking CMS to provide full and unrestricted coverage. As part of efforts at convincing CMS to change its policy, the Association conducted rallies in all 50 states. CMS adjusted its policy in July 2023 to provide access but only to people enrolled in the FDA's patient registry; the Association believes that a registry as a condition of coverage is an unnecessary barrier.

Working with bipartisan congressional champions, the Association and AIM drove the passage of the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The NAPA Reauthorization Act would extend the National Alzheimer's Project Act, a landmark piece of legislation that fundamentally changed the way our nation addresses Alzheimer's and all other dementia. The Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act aims to ensure Congress continues to hear directly from scientists at NIH what resources are necessary to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease; in FY23, NIH released its annual professional judgment budget for Alzheimer's and dementia research, requesting an additional $321 million in funding for fiscal year 2024.

The House and Senate reintroduced the bipartisan Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act, asking the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a different payment structure for dementia care management that would improve the quality of care, ease the challenges of caregiving and reduce costs.

As part of the 2023 Alzheimer's Impact Movement Advocacy Forum, the first-ever Rally for Access was held outside the White House, where purple-clad advocates gathered to fight for the reversal of the original CMS policy. On Hill Day, advocates met with elected officials to encourage their support for critical legislation and increased federal Alzheimer's and dementia research funding in addition to changing the CMS policy.

At the National Alzheimer's Dinner, Sens. Susan Collins (D-Maine) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) received the AIM Humanitarian Award. The senators were honored for their significant policy contributions to the fight against Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

Advocates used digital platforms to make over 115,000 connections with lawmakers regarding public policy issues, including nearly 92,000 emails and over 23,000 tweets. More than 400 personalized videos were shared with elected officials.

The Association held more than 400 events with members of Congress, including virtual meetings, virtual town halls, Coffees with Congress and conversations at Walk to End Alzheimer's. Advocates also submitted nearly 800 letters to the editor, with approximately 53% published in media outlets nationwide.

The Association hosted the inaugural State Dementia Services Coordinator (DSC) Summit in Washington, D.C., continuing its work with state policymakers to improve the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer's and all other dementia. The event convened state agency officials from 26 states and the District of Columbia to collaborate, share their experiences and discuss solutions to help the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's and their families.

Several priority bills in alignment with the Association's coordinated nationwide state policy priorities were signed into law following active engagement by Association and AIM staff and advocates. These included legislation to increase access to care, support and treatment; improve quality of care; advancing risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis; and ensure a coordinated statewide response to the Alzheimer's crisis.