*A copy of this letter was also sent to the House of Representatives

May 2, 2018

The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510		 The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Roger Wicker
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510		 The Honorable Robert Menendez
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

 

Dear Senators Capito, Stabenow, Wicker and Menendez:

On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I am writing to endorse S. 2387, the “Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2018,”

The bipartisan, bicameral CHANGE Act would help the growing number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their families and caregivers by:

  • Encouraging the early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, including testing for cognitive impairment as part of Medicare’s welcome visit and annual wellness visits;
  • Testing a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which includes training and support services for their families and caregivers;
  • Facilitating participation in clinical trials; and
  • Requiring a study to determine regulatory and legislative changes that would accelerate research progress aimed at preventing, treating and curing Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is not only devastating to the growing number of individuals who are afflicted with this terrible disease and their families but it’s impact will also be felt by every American who depends on vital health security programs like Medicare and Medicaid.  We look forward to working with you to secure enactment of the “CHANGE Act,” which combats Alzheimer’s disease on many fronts, and we thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

 

Sincerely,

Max Richtman
President and CEO