Share or Print this page


From Olympia to Washington D.C., our advocates leave an impact on legislators and move our mission forward. 

On top of the chapter's Town Hall Series (annually during Autumn) and Advocacy Day (February 18, 2020), involvement is available through Advocacy Forum in D.C., becoming a member of the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) and other opportunities.

Learn how you can become an advocate in Washington state and about Cognitive Decline in Washington. For questions, contact Public Policy Manager Peter Newbould at pnewbould@alz.org or 206.529.3867.

---------------------------------------

Advocacy Update

May 1, 2019


Dear Alzheimer’s Advocate:

The Washington State Legislature has just adjourned and I am writing with good news. Because of you, we were able to win significant legislation that will help people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and the people who care for them. Your phone calls, visits to legislators, emails, tweets, letters to the editor and vocalization of the need for action has accomplished wonderful things in Olympia:
 
  • Substantial investments in the Washington State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. The Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC) will receive $1 million to fund key priorities in the Alzheimer’s State Plan over the next two years. Because of your advocacy efforts, the DAC will be able to: disseminate dementia care best practices to primary care practitioners to achieve earlier diagnosis and referral; expand public information and education using evidence-based public health messaging around brain health, warning signs of dementia and the value of early diagnosis; and promote early legal and advance care planning.
  • The Long-Term Care Trust Act was passed by the State Legislature. The Long-Term Care Trust Act provides an opportunity for Washington workers to begin saving for their own long-term care. The bill will soon be signed into law by Governor Inslee.
  • Payroll premiums of 58 cents for each $100 of gross income will begin in 2022, building up to $36,500 in benefits for qualifying individuals beginning in 2025. This new public Trust will help people with Alzheimer’s and other disabilities stay in their homes longer. Funds may be spent on a wide range of needed supports and services like compensating a family caregiver, respite care, adult day care or building a wheelchair ramp.
That is just what’s happening in state advocacy! In Washington, DC, we have convinced Congress to quadruple appropriations for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health in just five years. Congress has also passed laws to improve care and support for people affected by the disease and their caregivers. This has happened because of constituents like you speaking out, effective lobbying by Alzheimer’s Association staff, and increased activity by and membership in, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, our advocacy arm.

Through the raising of voices from you and many other Washingtonians—together, with the heartfelt stories about the impact dementia has had on so many families—we are making progress toward a world without Alzheimer’s. Thank you for helping us in this vital work!

Sincerely,
Peter Newbould

Public Policy Manager, Washington State Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association
pnewbould@alz.org
206-529-3867

P.S. We have a new tool that makes responding to our action alerts much easier, allowing you to send emails and tweets to your federal and state legislators right from your phone! Sign up by clicking here or texting AdvocateWA to 52886.


 

Other Pages in Helping You