When Can We Find a Cure for Alzheimer's?

Dear Editor,

There are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 15 million serving as unpaid caregivers. I lost both of my parents to this disease. With my mother, I saw firsthand how destructive this disease truly is. My mother lost her ability to think, function and take care of herself – the toll of this disease tormented me as I watched as her memories slowly slip away. My father was mother’s caregiver and as a result, he died 6 years before my mother did, from being so worn down caring for someone with this horrible disease.

This disease is equally as harmful to our nation’s health care systems. This looming crisis is deemed the most expensive disease in America – costing $259 billion annually, including $175 billion borne by Medicare and Medicaid. Watching these figures grow and my mother’s health fade, inspired me to join forces with the Alzheimer’s Association.

The House HHS subcommittee recently proposed a $400M increase for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for FY18. This effort follows the historic $400 million increase for FY17 approved by Congress in May. While this funding will positively impact the research needed to find a cure – it still remains below the NIH target of $2B needed to continue to facilitate the research momentum. In the current budget climate, continued bipartisan effort will be required to maintain the progress.

We have had strong support on both sides of the aisle on this issue in Washington and I hope that our politicians continue to work not on blue or red issues, but on purple issues, like Alzheimer’s. I am pleased that both Congressman Roskam and Senator Duckworth have supported Alzheimer’s disease research funding in the past and hope that they continue to do so in FY18.

I will continue to do my part as an advocate for friends, family, neighbors, but most importantly my mother, father and I hope Congress will do the same.

Sincerely,

Julie Ramsay