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Donate NowHouse Subcommittee Acts to Expand Dementia Training for Health Care Providers
“The AADAPT Act addresses a serious gap in our health care system: Too many Americans living with Alzheimer’s go undiagnosed, and too many communities — especially rural and medically underserved ones — lack access to providers equipped to identify and treat the disease,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “We are grateful to Chairman Griffith, Ranking Member DeGette, and the bipartisan champions of this legislation for their continued leadership. We urge the full committee and the House to act swiftly to advance this bill.”
“As new Alzheimer’s treatments continue to emerge, we need a health care workforce prepared to identify and manage these conditions earlier,” said Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), sponsor of the AADAPT Act. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort, because most of us know someone who has been faced with this disease and understand how difficult it can be for patients and families.”
“Investment in research has led to innovative diagnostic tools and treatment, but this means very little to patients and their families if our primary care workforce is not prepared to use them,” said Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), sponsor of the AADAPT Act. “Americans who face this devastating disease should not have to go longer without answers or support because the health care system was not prepared to meet them where they are.”
The AADAPT Act would expand capacity for health care providers to participate in structured virtual education programs focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia care. These programs would strengthen providers’ skills in detection, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care through free, remote continuing education led by dementia care experts. The bill is designed to reach rural and medically underserved areas, where primary care providers often face the greatest strain and many cases go undiagnosed.
Timely, accurate diagnoses can meaningfully improve quality of life for the more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. Currently, only half of those living with the disease have received a diagnosis. Additionally, 85% of initial diagnoses are made by primary care providers who lack specialized dementia training and support, and most report they do not feel prepared to provide care for those diagnosed because they are not dementia specialists.
“Science has given us new tools — treatments that work and tests that can detect Alzheimer’s earlier than ever before. Those advances only reach people if providers are equipped to use them,” said Egge. “The AADAPT Act builds that capacity, and AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association are proud to have helped build the bipartisan coalition that made today possible.”
The AADAPT Act was introduced in the House by Reps. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and in the Senate by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
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.