[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE RONALD REAGAN ALZHEIMER'S BREAKTHROUGH ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be joining Senators 
Bond and Mikulski, and my House colleagues, Representatives Chris Smith 
and Ed Markey, in introducing the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's 
Breakthrough Act of 2004. This legislation will significantly increase 
our government's investment in Alzheimer's disease research and patient 
and caregiver support initiatives.
  As a son whose mother suffers from Alzheimer's, I know personally the 
sacrifice--both financially and emotionally--of families caring for a 
parent with this horrific disease. It is the story of so many Hispanics 
in this nation--a story of so many Americans. My family fled Cuba to 
come to find freedom in the United States. My mother worked her entire 
life as a seamstress in the factories of New Jersey. She spends half of 
her Social Security check on prescription drugs. If it was not for my 
sister and me, she would not live with the dignity she deserves.
  Because of my personal experience with Alzheimer's, I have always 
admired Nancy and Ronald Reagan's strength and perseverance throughout 
the President's battle with this heart-wrenching and devastating 
illness. By having gone public, Ronald Reagan increased awareness of 
this debilitating disease, providing hope, comfort, and companionship 
to 4.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's today. We feel there 
is no more fitting tribute to honor President Reagan's memory than to 
join together in a bipartisan manner and support the Ronald Reagan 
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act.
  Today, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in 
older people. One in ten people over 65 and nearly half those over 85, 
suffer from Alzheimer's disease. And with the aging of our population, 
we can expect those numbers to increase. In fact, unless scientific 
research finds a way to prevent or cure the disease, it is estimated 
that between 11.3 and 16 million people in the U.S. will have 
Alzheimer's disease by the middle of the 21st century.
  Just a few weeks ago, I, along with the Alzheimer's Association, 
released a report that focuses on the impact of Alzheimer's on 
Hispanics. The report predicts that, because Hispanics are the fastest 
growing population in the country and have the greatest life expectancy 
of any ethnic group, the community will experience a six-fold increase 
in the disease by 2050. In numbers, this means that 1.3 million 
Hispanics will have Alzheimer's disease by 2050, compared to fewer than 
200,000 currently living with the disease.
  The legislation introduced today will increase National Institute of 
Health funding to $1.4 billion a year so we can continue to advance our 
ability to one day prevent, treat, and ultimately cure this disease. 
This increase is necessary if we are going to be serious about reducing 
both the physical and economic costs of Alzheimer's. According to 
experts, delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer's for even 5 
years could save as much as $50 billion in annual health care costs. 
Alzheimer's costs American businesses more than $36.5 billion annually 
due to lost productivity of employees who are caregivers and the health 
care costs associated with the disease.
  Alzheimer's is a far-reaching disease and a serious strain on 
families because it not only affects families' lives, jobs, and 
finances, but also their mental and physical well-being. In response, 
this legislation provides a tax credit of up to $3,000 to help pay the 
expenses of families who care for loved ones with long-term care needs.
  In addition, this bill increases authorization levels for a series of 
programs to help families care for their loved ones; increases funding 
levels for research initiatives focused on prevention and care; and 
authorizes funding for a public education campaign to inform the public 
about prevention techniques.
  Congress needs to make wise investments on behalf of the American 
people. Alzheimer's research is one of those important and critical 
investments we must make now, so that future generations of Americans 
will have the medical resources and knowledge to cope with the 
challenge of caring for a parent, family member, or friend living with 
this disease. By making this investment today, it is my hope that one 
day soon a cure will be found so Alzheimer's will be a part of medical 
history instead of a family's reality.

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