A rare healthcare issue both parties agree on: A solution to Alzheimer’s that can’t wait |
A rare healthcare issue both parties agree on: A solution to Alzheimer’s that can’t wait
As members of Congress on opposite sides of the aisle, we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. But Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t care about politics. It affects families in every state, congressional district and neighborhood across America. Over 7 million of us currently live with Alzheimer’s — more than 1 million in our two states alone — a number that is expected to nearly double in the decades ahead. Changing the trajectory of Alzheimer’s in America isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Alzheimer’s can start more than a decade before memory loss and other signs become evident. Early detection is critical to helping patients start Alzheimer’s treatment sooner, when it’s most effective. Sadly, many patients are diagnosed too late for treatment or other health interventions to help.
Thankfully, decades of investment in research and development have led to scientific breakthroughs that are revolutionizing Alzheimer’s care. For too long, diagnosing Alzheimer’s required lengthy referrals and invasive, expensive procedures. Today, simple blood-based biomarker tests can help identify the disease earlier and more conveniently than ever. These developments have the potential to transform patient care, particularly with more treatments now approved.
Yet despite these advances, coverage policies have not kept pace. Medicare can only cover preventive services that Congress has specifically authorized or that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This process can delay coverage for years after screening........