Doing Everything in Our Power
Among the most heartbreaking circumstances in life are those in which we see our family, friends or loved ones suffering from illness. My own family knows firsthand the toll that Alzheimer’s disease takes on those living with it and on those caring for them. What starts out as slight memory loss eventually leads to disappearing personalities and then no recollection of the people and memories that filled an individual’s life. I remember how painful it was to see that happen to my own father during the last several years of his life.
Without question, our first inclination is to do everything in our power to help our loved ones beat sickness. The disease continues to manifest itself at an alarming rate, particularly among senior citizens. And since the cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, its onset can be neither predicted nor prevented.
The rapid growth and widespread impact of Alzheimer’s is truly a national health crisis. More than five million Americans have it today, and based on the current trend, 16 million could have it by the middle of this century. Each year, billions of dollars are spent caring for people living with Alzheimer’s, which is burdensome to family members who often serve as caregivers and draining to the American economy. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on a person with the disease. If our response and action plan are left unchanged, all signs lead to even greater financial and human costs.
Unfortunately, the money spent on care heavily outweighs the money spent on research to find a cure. I believe that boosting research funding is the only chance we have at slowing and eventually eliminating this deadly disease. Last week, I was pleased to have a role that could lead to answers, solutions and ultimately savings—for patients, caregivers and the country.
As Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that deals with Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, I was able to redirect spending away from less urgent needs to fund additional research on Alzheimer's. If my proposal is enacted into law, next year the federal government will spend an additional $300 million to find a cure for this dreaded disease. This will be the most significant boost for Alzheimer's research in many years. Given that the disease is rampant, I believe this funding provision for research is a worthwhile investment that could help lift the heavy burden weighing down those living with Alzheimer’s, their families and the federal government.
It’s the most painful thing in the world to helplessly watch those we love waste away at the hands of a terrible disease. While the funding provisions announced still have to be worked through the legislative process, I am pleased that the House is beginning to make strides toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.