Durbin Calls For Commitment to National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a resolution which emphasizes the importance of fully implementing the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s and the need to increase investments in Alzheimer’s disease research. Alzheimer’s is one of the most expensive conditions to treat and care for. In 2013, the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease will total an estimated $203 billion for Medicaid and Medicare. That number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050, an increase of more than 500 percent.
“More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 210,000 people in Illinois. This number will continue to rise unless something is done,” Durbin said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure investments are made in Alzheimer’s research and to make the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease by 2050 a reality.”
“As the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer's Association wholly supports the National Alzheimer's Project Act, having advocated for its passage in the face of the growing Alzheimer's epidemic,” said Erna E. Colburn, President of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Illinois Chapter. “The Greater Illinois Chapter of the Association applauds Senator Durbin's recognition of this critical Act and the goals therein. We look forward to working with him on the implementation of this plan to address the disease, which seeks to aid the 210,000 Illinois residents living with Alzheimer's as well as millions more across the country.”
In December of 2010, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act passed unanimously by Congress and was signed into law January 2011. The law created a national strategic plan to address Alzheimer’s disease, improve health outcomes, and lower costs to families and government programs.
As part of the plan, the NIH dedicated $50 million in new funding for Alzheimer’s research in FY12. President Obama’s FY14 budget, proposed adding $100 million in new NIH funding for Alzheimer’s research.
A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.