[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE HEALTH OUTCOMES, PLANNING AND EDUCATION ACT (HOPE) 
                            FOR ALZHEIMER'S

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                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Mr. MARKEY of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act. 
I would like to thank my colleague and fellow co-chair of the 
bipartisan Alzheimer's Task Force, Mr. Chris Smith of New Jersey, for 
partnering with me on this important legislation.
  An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and 1 in 
10 individuals has a family member with the disease. Unless science 
finds a way to prevent or cure it, nearly 16 million Americans will 
have Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050.
  The HOPE Act aims to increase detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's 
disease and other dementias and provide access, information, and 
support for newly diagnosed patients and their families. The bill would 
provide for Medicare coverage of comprehensive Alzheimer's disease and 
other dementia diagnoses and services in order to improve care and 
outcomes for Americans living with the disease.
  At present, most people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias 
have not been diagnosed. This only contributes to the difficulty 
surrounding this disease. Data from a recent study in the Journal of 
General Internal Medicine conducted from 2002 to 2003 show that only 19 
percent of people age 65 with dementia had a diagnosis of the condition 
in their primary care medical record. In addition, ethnic and racial 
populations at higher risk for Alzheimer's are less likely than whites 
to have a diagnosis of the condition.
  Delays in diagnosis have various negative consequences for patients 
and their families. One such serious consequence is that if individuals 
do not receive treatments early, when available medications are more 
likely to be effective, then families have less opportunity to make 
legal, financial and care plans while the person living with 
Alzheimer's or dementia is still capable.
  While America works towards investing more in research for 
Alzheimer's to move towards a cure for this devastating disease, we 
must also help the many affected families to plan for the care of the 
patients. This bipartisan legislation is a good step in ensuring these 
important steps are taken.
  The Alzheimer's Association has endorsed our legislation, which will 
increase the likelihood that Alzheimer's will be diagnosed sooner and 
help individuals plan for the required care associated with 
Alzheimer's. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on 
this important issue throughout the legislative process.

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