Fight for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s Treatments

This month, advocates are turning Capitol Hill purple to bring awareness to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and ensure that our elected officials keep dementia a priority across the country.

While my fellow advocates are in Washington D.C., I am advocating here in Illinois in honor of my grandmother, Catherine “Marice” McGuire. Grandma Marice was a smart, strong and positive ray of sunshine who faught hard against Alzheimer’s but unfortunately lost the battle.

Thanks to bipartisan champions in Congress, we’ve made great progress advancing research on Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, providing hope to families in the midst of a terrible disease. As of January 6, we now have two FDA-approved treatments for the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. However, for the first time ever, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) will not cover these treatments. This decision is unjust and harmful to those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Access to treatment can slow the progression of this fatal disease and give people with Alzheimer’s more time with their loved ones. We need our Members of Congress, including my Representative Delia Ramirez to join us in urging CMS to reverse their decision immediately.

Watching Grandma Marice battle with Alzheimer’s was a difficult and painful experience that caused my family profound grief and sadness. If she had access to treatment options, she would have had more time to live her life in a meaningful way while knowing the people around her loved her.

Having FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer's would be a significant milestone for millions of people around the world, as it would provide healthcare professionals with more effective tools to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. It would also provide hope to those affected by Alzheimer's and their families, as well as inspire further research into the disease's underlying causes and potential new treatments.

I’m asking Illinois lawmakers, including Representative Ramirez, to hear our requests and ensure FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer’s are accessible.