House answers Alzheimer's Association advocates' call for a $300 million increase
Today, Alzheimer's Association advocates moved closer to realizing their request for substantially-increased Alzheimer's research funding. The House Appropriations Committee approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) bill, including an additional $300 million for Alzheimer's disease research. Rep. Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) first proposed this landmark increase.
"The Alzheimer's Association applauds Congressman Cole, Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and all members of the House Appropriations Committee for prioritizing the Alzheimer's crisis. It is our sincere hope given the action taken by the House Appropriations Committee today and by the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee yesterday, that the final bill that is enacted to fund the National Institutes of Health includes such a substantial increase for Alzheimer's disease research," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "As we look toward to the announcement of the first Alzheimer's professional judgment budget next month, this surge of bipartisan support marks a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's."
The Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which was enacted into law in December as part of the fiscal year 2015 funding bill, creates a formal process to ensure that scientific judgment will guide Congress in future Alzheimer's research funding decisions. Beginning in fiscal year 2017, the NIH will submit a Professional Judgment Budget for Alzheimer's disease research each year until 2025 to achieve annual research milestones established under the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. It will reflect the state of Alzheimer's knowledge and the required investments in research identified by leading scientists to achieve the plan's primary goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025.
- Currently, Alzheimer's disease, which is the only leading cause of death among the top 10 in the U.S. without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression, receives $586 million. Leading experts have stated that a ramp up to $2 billion a year is necessary to meet the first goal of the National Alzheimer's Plan.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.