June 22, 2024
Dear Friends,
Over the years, I’ve worked in numerous ways to open the doors to health care and hope for Americans diagnosed with various medical conditions. From enacting legislation to support those living with rare diseases to most recently advancing a bill that would take the first-ever federal action to address Parkinson’s, I’m deeply proud of my efforts to provide support to those in our community who need it most. In that spirit, one of my top priorities has been providing relief to those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
A few troubling facts about this heartbreaking disease:
- Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is unfortunately growing fast.
- Currently, an estimated 6.7 million Americans are living with this progressive brain disorder, and by 2050 that number is projected to double to nearly 13 million Americans.
- In 2023, Alzheimer’s and other dementias cost the nation an estimated $345 billion.
I know so many in our community and across the nation who are suffering from this disease and whose families carry a heavy burden. But those who are living with Alzheimer’s are far from hopeless, and they do not carry their burdens alone. Countless incredible advocates, caregivers, and individuals are working every day to fight this disease, and I am proud beyond measure to be their partner in the push to end Alzheimer’s.
My legislative efforts span back to my first days in Congress, and have included action to drive forward medical research, federal coordination, early detection, public health infrastructure, and support for caregivers. During my first term in the House of Representatives, I supported the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, legislation that required the federal government to develop, for the very first time, a national plan to combat Alzheimer’s disease. That plan included efforts to accelerate research, improve care and services, and provide resources for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their families. That bill was made law in 2011, and thanks to its landmark investments, we have made pivotal strides in research and treatment on Alzheimer’s.
Most recently, this progress has culminated in the development of new treatments. Just days ago, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of approving the drug donanemab, a new treatment to address symptoms associated with early Alzheimer’s. This approval is considered a key step before full FDA approval.
These advancements and other encouraging developments would not have been possible without our federal legislation, but we can’t stop our progress now. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) expires next year, and I’ve been at the forefront of efforts to reauthorize this legislation and advance other bills that develop vital programs in pursuit of a cure. This week, I held a discussion with individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s to highlight our recent progress on treatment options, and to discuss the importance of new bipartisan legislation that I’m working to advance through the House.
That legislation includes:
We can make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s disease and the millions more who love and care for them by making treatment more affordable, accessible, and comprehensive. These bipartisan bills will pave the way for providing immense support to those living with Alzheimer’s and bring needed hope to millions.
As we recognize June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, I’ll continue to keep up our fight against this disease. I am endlessly grateful for the insights I’ve received from the Alzheimer’s community, and I remain inspired by their resilience and their dedication to finding a cure. This month and every month, I’ll continue standing with them to deliver hope to those who need it most.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- The initial window to apply for the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2024 Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program closes next week.
- Established under the Inflation Reduction Act, this credit program provides a 10 or 20 percentage point increase to the energy investment credit for solar and wind facilities under five megawatts (AC) that apply for and receive an allocation of environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation.
- The types of entities eligible to apply include:
- Those located in a low-income community;
- Those located on Indian land;
- Qualified low-income residential building projects; and
- Qualified low-income economic benefit projects.
- Following this initial window to apply, DOE will review and accept applications on a rolling basis and provide recommendations to the IRS in the order applications are received.
- You can learn more and apply for this benefit HERE.
