Alzheimer's Association Applauds Inclusion of Additional $100 Million for Alzheimer's Disease in Senate Funding Bill

- Alzheimer's Association Statement -

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Jun 10, 2014, 07:42 ET

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies allocated an additional $100 million in its fiscal year 2015 funding bill for Alzheimer's research. The Alzheimer's Association commends Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) for their ongoing commitment to Alzheimer's, a terminal disease with no means to stop prevent or slow its progression.

"This allocation, further building on the $100 million allocated in fiscal year 2014, will help to maintain the momentum established by the Alzheimer's research community toward the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025," said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "The Alzheimer's Association applauds the subcommittee. We look forward to continuing our work to reach the investment levels deemed necessary by leading scientific experts on Alzheimer's disease to capitalize on scientific opportunities and end this disease."

There are currently more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and that number is poised to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050, according the Alzheimer's Association 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts & Figures report. In addition to the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer's, the country's most expensive condition, costs the nation $203 billion annually with projections to reach $1.2 trillion by 2050. Yet for every $26,500 Medicare and Medicaid spend on caring for individuals with Alzheimer's, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends only $100 on Alzheimer's research.

The Alzheimer's Association encourages all parties – Senate, House of Representatives and Obama Administration – to do everything possible to ensure that a final funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies reflects today's efforts to make Alzheimer's a national priority. For more information on Alzheimer's disease and available resources, visit the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.

Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association