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House Appropriators Call for $350 Million Increase for Alzheimer's Disease in FY 2017
The House Appropriations Committee approved a federal budget package for fiscal year (FY) 2017 that calls for a $350 million increase in spending for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This comes on the heels of the Senate Appropriations Committee approval of a $400 million increase for Alzheimer's disease research. Currently, NIH spends close to a billion dollars a year on researching Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Despite action in the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Congressional observers predict there will be no final agreement on the federal budget for FY 2017-which begins on October 1-until after November elections. Until a budget agreement for FY 2017 is reached, Congress will likely pass a continuing resolution, which would keep funding at current levels.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has called for an increase of $1 billion in Alzheimer's research funding for FY 2017, along with an additional $40 million for dementia caregiver services and supports. Still, in a statement, AFA's president and chief executive officer Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., praised Congressional appropriators saying that: "Increased dollars will enable Alzheimer's research partners to continue and expand much needed efforts in finding a cure; however, much more needs to be invested if we are to achieve the goal of the National Alzheimer's Plan-to find a cure or meaningful treatment for this devastating illness by 2025." Leading scientists have stated that at least $2 billion a year in research funding is needed in order to reach this goal.
CMS Proposes Medicare Payment for Alzheimer's Care Planning
 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released draft regulations that would provide for a Medicare payment to health care providers for comprehensive care planning starting January 1, 2017. Under the proposed rule, comprehensive care planning includes discussions about the disease and prognosis, information about managing coexisting conditions, and highlighting key decisions and planning to help persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's and their family caregivers successfully manage the disease. In addition, the rule calls for using standardize instruments to assess stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has long supported legislative efforts like the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act (S.857/H.R.1559), which would provide Medicare coverage for comprehensive care planning services-for both the individual and his/her caregiver-following a dementia diagnosis. While CMS achieves this goal through executive action, AFA will still be working to promote the HOPE Act, which will codify the proposal into law and shield it from the possibility of reversal by a future Presidential administration.
Bill Introduced to Expand In-Home Care Model for People with Chronic Conditions
Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have introduced S. 3130, the Independence at Home Act of 2016. Under this bill, the highly successful Independence at Home (IAH) demonstration project that has been providing home-based primary medical care to nearly 10,000 seniors with severe chronic illnesses, including dementia, into a voluntary Medicare benefit.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has long supported innovative, person-centered, team-based care models-like IAH. These programs have better outcomes, increase efficiencies and save care resources for people living with dementia and their families. In 2014, AFA conducted a financial analysis of care provisions in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease, including IAH. AFA's report, "Cost of Care: Quantifying Care-Centered Provisions of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease" found that the fully-implemented IAH program could reduce Medicare spending by approximately $30 billion over 10 years by delaying nursing home placement and reducing unnecessary spending on medical services rendered when the beneficiary receives care in a medical facility.
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Register Now for AFA's Fall Concepts in Care Educational Conferences
 This fall, AFA is bringing its Concepts in Care educational conference to five cities: Chicago, Ill.; Washington, D.C.; Melville, N.Y.; and West Palm Beach, Fla. The free, daylong conferences feature renowned dementia experts, including Jeffrey L. Cummings, M.D., Sc.D., director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, who will speak at the Chicago conference and Peter Davies, Ph.D., director, Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, who will speak at the Melville conference. Attendees will also get to see--and participate in--creative arts therapies. AFA will offer free, confidential memory screening at each conference and breakfast and lunch will also be provided. For information or to register, click the city of your choice above, call 866-232-8484, or visit www.alzfdn.org.
A Night of "Scent-sational" Shopping to Benefit AFA
 On July 20, from 6-8 p.m., Scenterprises and L.K. Bennett, a high-end women's clothing store, will host an evening of shopping to benefit AFA. Guests will enjoy a 10 percent discount on all full-priced purchases and have the opportunity to create their own custom scent. AFA will receive 10 percent of all money raised. L.K. Bennett is located at 655 Madison Ave. Click here to RSVP.
New York State Senator Jack Martins to Host Memory Screenings in Roslyn
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|  | | Senator Jack Martins | |
On July 25, from 1-4 p.m., New York State Senator Jack Martins is teaming up with AFA to bring free, confidential memory screenings to the Bryant Library in Roslyn. This is the latest in a series of screening events that Senator Martin has hosted to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease in his community and to help people be proactive about brain health. For more information about the event, click here.
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A new study suggests that the APOE gene, which makes some people more vulnerable to Alzheimer's than others, can impact the brain as early as childhood. Read more...
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have uncovered a simple eye test to discover early signs of Alzheimer's in the retinas of mice. The test will now move to human trials, examining individuals both with and without Alzheimer's. Read more...
The Mayo Clinic has published a study that found that newly postmenopausal women, treated with an estrogen patch, had reduced beta-amyloid deposits in their brains. Read more...
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Join Us:
September 19
AFA Golf Classic
On September 19, AFA will host its annual golf classic at the Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, N.Y.
This year's nominee is Edward D. Miller, chairman of the board, American Express Centurion Bank, and AFA board member.
A full day of activities is planned, including brunch, golf, a BBQ lunch, cocktails, and dinner. There will also be an awards ceremony, auction and "Canasta for a Cause."
Foursomes and individual golfers are welcome and sponsorships are available.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Save-the-Date:
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November 3 - AFA Lights the Nation
On November 3, AFA will again light the nation teal for Alzheimer's awareness.
More than 120 landmarks across the country and around the globe will be participating in this important initiative, including New York's Empire State Building, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the Prudential Center in Boston, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, the Fountains at Trafalgar Square in London, England, and the Sichuan Tower in Sichuan, China.
AFA is continuing to add sites to this list and will share updates in future e-newsletters. We encourage people to share in the experience at home, as well. Replace outdoor lights with teal bulbs to join us in shining a light on Alzheimer's disease. Together, we can make a difference.
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Have a Question?
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AFA's National Toll-Free Helpline is here for you! Staffed by licensed social workers, the helpline is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. EDT, and Saturdays, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. EDT.
Call 866-232-8484.
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Thank you for your support of AFA ! |
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