Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day 2021

Update on the Washington State Chapter's public policy priorities

The 2021 legislative session was one like no other — taking place virtually, during a pandemic and amid a high degree of uncertainty.

With your help, the Washington State Chapter hosted the first-in-the-nation, all virtual Alzheimer’s Association advocacy day, asking legislators to support our top legislative priorities. I am proud to say that the legislature listened!

The final budget signed by Gov. Inslee provides funding for all three of our top state priorities for the 2021 session:

• $1.5 million to create two Dementia Resource Catalyst programs, one on the east side of the state and one on the west side of the state. These programs, run by two Area Agencies on Aging, will fill gaps in local services and supports to help people live at home as long as possible, reducing unnecessary long-term care placements.
• $1.3 million for staffing and programs run through the Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC). These funds will continue the important work of the DAC, including Project ECHO, public education about the importance of early detection and providing pro-bono legal services for families facing dementia.
• Increased Medicaid funding to pay for 120 new long-term care beds for people with dementia who are awaiting discharge from acute care hospitals. These beds will provide an appropriate level of care in a setting for people with a high level of need.

I want to specifically thank our advocates who met with, called and wrote their legislators to make these priorities a reality. We could not have achieved these goals without you.

Sincerely, 
Jim Wilgus
Executive Director - Alzheimer's Association Washington State
Regional Leader - Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)

Please hold Feb. 9 on your calendar for our 2022 Advocacy Day!

Questions? 
Brad Forbes, Director of Public Policy
brforbes@alz.org | 425.246.6432