When members of Congress hash out funding for Alzheimer’s research, they may now have guidance from the actual researchers finding a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association pushed hard for legislation that would let the NIH submit a professional judgement budget to Congress. The legislation amends the national plan passed in 2010 to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s by 2025. (As of now, there’s no way to prevent, cure, or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.)
The cancer research community saw similar legislation passed and now National Cancer Institute researchers are authorized to provide guidance to Congress. The introduction of this bill by Reps. Brett Guthrie and Paul Tonko, and Sens. Ed Markey, above, and Mike Crapo, is timed nicely with the arrival of Alzheimer’s advocates who will talk to members this week. Over five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. It’s the country’s most expensive condition, costing $214B in 2014 and expected to reach $1.2T by 2050.
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