[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 35--RELATING TO THE TREATMENT OF VETERANS WITH 
                          ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Ms. SNOWE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs:

                               S. Res. 35

       Whereas an estimated 30 percent of the patients in veterans 
     nursing home facilities suffer from Alzheimer's Disease or 
     some other form of dementia;
       Whereas only a very small number of facilities exist that 
     are dedicated to treating patients with Alzheimer's disease 
     and to developing improved protocols to treat the disorder;
       Whereas the aging of the United States veterans population 
     is expected to hinder the capability of traditional veterans 
     nursing home facilities to care for veterans with Alzheimer's 
     disease; and
       Whereas research indicates that the traditional nursing 
     home model may not provide the most effective method of 
     treating patients with Alzheimer's disease: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) in authorizing medical facility projects and leases for 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress should authorize 
     projects and leases for facilities, in urban and rural 
     locations, that are designed specifically for purposes of 
     treating veterans with Alzheimer's disease and conducting 
     research relating to Alzheimer's disease;
       (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should encourage 
     innovation in the methods utilized by Department health care 
     personnel in treating veterans with Alzheimer's disease; and
       (3) the Secretary should encourage and facilitate the 
     sharing of information on Alzheimer's disease among 
     Department facilities and personnel.

                          ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
in support of veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
  When I first came to Congress 20 years ago, not a single piece of 
legislation devoted to Alzheimer's disease had even been introduced. We 
have come a long way since then, as today Alzheimer's is a household 
word. It is also the most expensive uninsured illness in America. That 
is why I recently introduced legislation to allow families to deduct 
the cost of home care and adult day and respite care provided to a 
family member suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
  The resolution I am submitting today is targeted to the challenges 
faced by veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and their 
families. I worked closely with the Maine Department of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars [VFW] of the United States on this approach, after 
learning of the prevalence of this disorder in the veterans population 
in Maine and nationwide, and the need to improve treatment regimes.
  The resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that in authorizing 
veterans medical facility projects, such as nursing homes, Congress 
should authorize projects for facilities in urban and rural areas 
specifically designed to treat veterans with Alzheimer's disease and 
conducting research into the disorder.
  The resolution also expresses support for innovation in the methods 
used by VA personnel in treating veterans with Alzheimer's disease, and 
encourages the sharing of information on Alzheimer's disease among VA 
facilities and health care personnel.
  Facilities authorized under this bill would provide a model for 
existing VA nursing homes that treat Alzheimer's disease and future 
homes dedicated exclusively to the treatment of Alzheimer's. These 
specially designed homes will formulate new protocols for the treatment 
of this devastating condition.
  Currently, veterans homes have an average of 30 percent Alzheimer's 
patients. Serious questions have been raised concerning whether it is 
appropriate to treat this disorder in the traditional nursing home 
setting. Yet, the VA does not operate any facilities exclusively 
targeted at Alzheimer's disease, and the VA budget for construction 
funds for veterans nursing homes does not authorize construction of any 
unique long-term care projects. Authorizing the VA to explore new ways 
of treating Alzheimer's disease will enable the Department, which 
administers one of the largest health care networks in the country, to 
prepare for the future, when the aging of the veterans population is 
expected to hinder the ability of traditional veterans homes to care 
for Alzheimer's patients.
  One of the most important components of this resolution is that a 
demonstration facility authorized by Congress will give the VA the 
freedom to design new and more effective protocols for treating 
Alzheimer's patients--including new approaches to care, administration, 
staffing, quality assurance, and other issues. Facilities are currently 
forced to comply with existing long-term care regulations, laws, 
building codes, and traditional medical models, which are often not 
compatible with the unique needs of patients suffering from Alzheimer's 
disease.
  Advances made by facilities designed specifically to treat veterans 
with Alzheimer's will ultimately benefit all those who suffer with this 
disorder. Therefore, Mr. President, I strongly urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting this legislation.

                          ____________________