[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH

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                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in support for 
increased funding for Alzheimer's research.
   There is no other way to put it: Alzheimer's is a terrible disease. 
It destroys your memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the 
ability to carry out the simplest of tasks.
   In the United States, more than 5 million Americans currently have 
Alzheimer's, and about half of those with the disease do not know they 
have it. In fact, every 67 seconds, someone in this country develops 
Alzheimer's--a staggering statistic, no doubt--but by 2050, it will be 
every 33 seconds. To make matters worse, Alzheimer's is the only cause 
of death in the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, treat, or 
slow the progression of the disease. In other words, there is no cure.
   It should not be a surprise that Alzheimer's is the most expensive 
disease in America. In 2014, caring for people with the disease and 
other dementias will cost the United States an estimated $214 billion. 
Medicare and Medicaid spending will shoulder the majority of the care 
cost, an estimated $150 billion this year alone. This means that 
roughly 1 in 5 Medicare dollars are spent on someone with Alzheimer's. 
And unless something is done, the costs of Alzheimer's to Americans 
will total $1.2 trillion, in today's dollars, including an over 500% 
increase in Medicare and Medicaid spending on Alzheimer's.
   Congress has already taken action to address this very serious 
issue. Specifically, Congress unanimously passed the National 
Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) in 2010, calling for the creation of a 
National Alzheimer's Plan. That plan has resulted in some notable 
accomplishments, including the NIH creating a blueprint for Alzheimer's 
research. However, for the progress this disease requires, scientists 
need additional funds to carry out the blueprint.
   While Congress provided a much needed addition of $100 million in 
Alzheimer's research, a chronic underinvestment in Alzheimer's research 
persists. Congress must continue its commitment to the fight against 
Alzheimer's by increasing funding for Alzheimer's research in Fiscal 
Year 2015 by $200 million.
   Democrats and Republicans alike should be united in tackling 
Alzheimer's. After all, it is a disease that affects individuals 
regardless of party preference, a disease that affects our very own 
constituents and loved ones, and a disease that we, as elected 
officials, have a responsibility to do something about.

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