The Ronald Reagan Alzheimers Breakthrough Act of 2004

THE RONALD REAGAN ALZHEIMER'S BREAKTHROUGH ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 18, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be joining Senators BOND and MIKULSKI, and my House colleagues, Representatives CHRIS SMITH and ED MARKEY, in introducing the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2004. This legislation will significantly increase our government's investment in Alzheimer's disease research and patient and caregiver support initiatives.

As a son whose mother suffers from Alzheimer's, I know personally the sacrifice-both financially and emotionally-of families caring for a parent with this horrific disease. It is the story of so many Hispanics in this nation-a story of so many Americans. My family fled Cuba to come to find freedom in the United States. My mother worked her entire life as a seamstress in the factories of New Jersey. She spends half of her Social Security check on prescription drugs. If it was not for my sister and me, she would not live with the dignity she deserves.

Because of my personal experience with Alzheimer's, I have always admired Nancy and Ronald Reagan's strength and perseverance throughout the President's battle with this heart-wrenching and devastating illness. By having gone public, Ronald Reagan increased awareness of this debilitating disease, providing hope, comfort, and companionship to 4.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's today. We feel there is no more fitting tribute to honor President Reagan's memory than to join together in a bipartisan manner and support the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act.

Today, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older people. One in ten people over 65 and nearly half those over 85, suffer from Alzheimer's disease. And with the aging of our population, we can expect those numbers to increase. In fact, unless scientific research finds a way to prevent or cure the disease, it is estimated that between 11.3 and 16 million people in the U.S. will have Alzheimer's disease by the middle of the 21st century.

Just a few weeks ago, I, along with the Alzheimer's Association, released a report that focuses on the impact of Alzheimer's on Hispanics. The report predicts that, because Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the country and have the greatest life expectancy of any ethnic group, the community will experience a six-fold increase in the disease by 2050. In numbers, this means that 1.3 million Hispanics will have Alzheimer's disease by 2050, compared to fewer than 200,000 currently living with the disease.

The legislation introduced today will increase National Institute of Health funding to $1.4 billion a year so we can continue to advance our ability to one day prevent, treat, and ultimately cure this disease. This increase is necessary if we are going to be serious about reducing both the physical and economic costs of Alzheimer's. According to experts, delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer's for even 5 years could save as much as $50 billion in annual health care costs. Alzheimer's costs American businesses more than $36.5 billion annually due to lost productivity of employees who are caregivers and the health care costs associated with the disease.

Alzheimer's is a far-reaching disease and a serious strain on families because it not only affects families' lives, jobs, and finances, but also their mental and physical well-being. In response, this legislation provides a tax credit of up to $3,000 to help pay the expenses of families who care for loved ones with long-term care needs.
In addition, this bill increases authorization levels for a series of programs to help families care for their loved ones; increases funding levels for research initiatives focused on prevention and care; and authorizes funding for a public education campaign to inform the public about prevention techniques.

Congress needs to make wise investments on behalf of the American people. Alzheimer's research is one of those important and critical investments we must make now, so that future generations of Americans will have the medical resources and knowledge to cope with the challenge of caring for a parent, family member, or friend living with this disease. By making this investment today, it is my hope that one day soon a cure will be found so Alzheimer's will be a part of medical history instead of a family's reality.

END