More investment in Alzheimer's research needed

Letters to the Editor

 

Last updated 11/19/2015 at 4:48pm



There has been growing recognition of the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease lately, but the funding to find a cure lags dramatically behind what is necessary. I lost my mother to this terrible disease in April; she was only 77 and as we reflect back we realize she was showing some signs of dementia as early as 65. My family was greatly affected and we are all now working with the Alzheimer’s Association to find a cure and increase awareness.

In 2010 Congress unanimously passed legislation that set a goal of finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s by 2025. However, the funding for dementia research by the National Institute of Health (NIH) has not increased to the $2 billion a year level that scientists say is necessary. We must invest more to find effective treatments and a cure or our country will face severe costly consequences (a projected cost of care in federal and private funds of over $1 trillion dollars).

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill giving $350 million more to the NIH for Alzheimer’s research, while the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has voted for $300 million. If even the lower figure is signed into law, that would be a 50 percent increase in research funding for this disease.

The new budget law just eased strict budget caps, allowing additional priority spending this coming year. I ask that you join me in urging senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, to vote for this vital increase in funding for Alzheimer’s research. We need to make sure it is in the final appropriations bill enacted into law.

Susan Wood-Gaines

Spokane

 

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