Change the Course of Alzheimer's for those living with the disease

As a person living with early Alzheimer’s, access to treatments that can change the course of the disease, in a meaningful way for people like me, is of critical importance.

On January 6, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lecanemab, now known as Leqembi, using the accelerated approval pathway. Based on results from very strong clinical trials, leading Alzheimer’s researchers agree this treatment changes the course of the disease in a meaningful way for people with early Alzheimer’s. However, because of the decision the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) has put in place, Medicare will not cover this treatment.

Never before has CMS imposed such drastic barriers to access FDA-approved drugs, especially for people facing a fatal disease. Every FDA-approved drug is covered by Medicare, except for Alzheimer’s. CMS’s policy is unjustified, harmful and unfair.

Just as is true for individuals with every other disease today, people like me who are living with Alzheimer’s and their doctors should be able to decide if an FDA-approved treatment is right for them and should have it covered by Medicare. I, and all those living with Alzheimer’s deserve better, and we need support from Congress.

The Alzheimer’s Association has filed a formal request asking CMS to provide full and unrestricted coverage for Alzheimer’s treatments that have been approved by the FDA.

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, please urge CMS to provide full coverage for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drugs, just as it does for FDA-approved drugs for every other disease.

Doreen Monks, RN, MSN

Livingston, New Jersey