Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)
WASHINGTON – The Ways and Means Committee yesterday unanimously passed the bipartisan Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, a bill introduced by Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) that would promote early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
The CHANGE Act directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify cognitive impairment detection tools to help clinicians more effectively detect, refer and diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias in their earliest stages when intervention can be most impactful.
The bill was included as part of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, a bipartisan, comprehensive bill to improve the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
“This is deeply personal for me. I lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s, and I know firsthand how much earlier detection could have meant for our family,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Advancing this bill out of committee brings us one step closer to giving other families that chance. I’m grateful to my Ways and Means colleagues for passing our bipartisan bill and will keep fighting to get it signed into law.”
“Alzheimer’s impacts millions of Americans, and we must do everything we can to support the search for a cure. This bipartisan bill provides help to patients and clinicians through expanded early detection support and improved data collection,” said Congressman LaHood. “The CHANGE Act, coupled with the ASAP Act, will strengthen existing tools to help streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other forms dementia. I thank Congresswoman Sánchez for her collaboration on this critical legislation and my Ways and Means colleagues for advancing this bill as we work to find ways to support patients, their families, and caregivers.”
“Alzheimer’s touches millions of families, and identifying the disease early can make a meaningful difference for patients and their loved ones,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The CHANGE Act brings us closer to giving healthcare providers the tools to recognize the warning signs sooner and connect families with the care and support they need. I’m proud this bipartisan legislation is moving forward so more families can have more time, better care, and greater hope.”
“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that has touched my family personally, so I understand the tremendous toll it takes not only on patients, but also on the loved ones who care for them,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “As promising new treatments continue to emerge, early detection and diagnosis are more important than ever. The bipartisan CHANGE Act will help ensure patients and their doctors have better tools to identify cognitive decline earlier, when interventions may have the greatest impact. I am pleased to see this important legislation advance out of Committee as part of a broader package, bringing us another step closer to improving care, preserving quality of life, and ultimately finding a cure for this terrible disease.”
An estimated 13.8 million Americans aged 65 and older are projected to develop Alzheimer’s by 2060. The CHANGE Act would provide critical support for caregivers and accelerate progress toward effective disease-modifying treatments.
Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth-leading cause of death in America, and it is estimated that Black Americans are twice as likely and Latinos are 1.5 times as likely to develop the disease.
The CHANGE Act is endorsed by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer’s and USAging.
Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) previously introduced companion legislation to the CHANGE Act in the Senate.
###