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Donate NowAlzheimer’s Association, AIM and LEAD Coalition Rally More Than 525 Organizations to Advance the ASAP Act as Momentum Grows
— Letter urges Congress to pass bipartisan legislation for Medicare coverage of blood-based Alzheimer's screening tests —
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2026 — The Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) are proud to spearhead a letter with the Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD Coalition) urging Congress to advance the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act. In a strong show of support, more than 525 organizations, researchers and clinicians signed the letter.“We are grateful to every organization, researcher and clinician who joined our letter. This is the moment when the law needs to catch up with the science,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “Blood tests can already detect Alzheimer’s changes in the brain, but Medicare cannot cover them. The ASAP Act fixes that. Thank you to everyone who signed on to this letter for standing up for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Together, we urge Congress to act on this bipartisan bill without delay.”
“Bringing together more than 525 organizations and researchers in support of this legislation demonstrates strong consensus that Congress should prioritize passage of the ASAP Act now,” said Ian Kremer, executive director of the LEAD Coalition. “We are proud to join the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM in this effort that unites the Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders community, and grateful for their leadership and that of the congressional sponsors on the ASAP Act.”
Under current law, Medicare cannot cover any screening test for diseases that cause dementia — a legal barrier only Congress can fix. The ASAP Act clears that roadblock, giving Medicare the authority to provide coverage through its existing evidence-based process without mandating it outright. It is the same approach Congress recently took for cancer screening through the MCED Act, applied now to Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
New research presented in July at the 2026 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) found that blood tests may help predict future cognitive impairment in older adults who are currently symptom-free. Cognitively healthy older adults with very high p-tau217 had an approximately 78% risk of developing cognitive impairment over 10 years.
More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and as many as half of them remain undiagnosed. Nine in 10 voters support Medicare coverage for these tests, according to a national survey commissioned by AIM, and 88% back the ASAP Act specifically.
This letter follows a wave of grassroots momentum for the bill. At the 2026 AIM Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., more than 1,000 advocates from all 50 states held over 500 meetings with congressional offices to press for the ASAP Act’s passage. As of today, there are 199 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and 49 in the Senate.
“We are grateful to Sens. Collins and Cortez Masto and Reps. Buchanan and Tonko for their leadership on the ASAP Act, and to our advocates across the country whose dedication has helped grow strong bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate,” said Rachel Conant, senior vice president of public policy at the Alzheimer’s Association and executive director of AIM. “Earlier detection means more time — time to access treatment, make lifestyle changes that can help manage risk, and plan for the future with clear information. That is what this bill means for the Alzheimer’s community, and that is why we are urging Congress to pass it.”
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.
Alzheimer’s Impact Movement
The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) is a separately incorporated advocacy affiliate of the Alzheimer's Association. AIM works to develop and advance policies to overcome Alzheimer's disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. For more information, visit alzimpact.org.