CHRISTIAN JOSI: Trump Must Seize Opportunities, Make Alzheimer’s Progress A Legacy Aim
Nearly every American household — mine included, sadly — has been touched in one way or another, by the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease. This is true across demographics, income brackets, and political identities. Today…
Nearly every American household — mine included, sadly — has been touched in one way or another, by the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease. This is true across demographics, income brackets, and political identities.
Today, more than seven million people in the United States live with this illness, and millions more are caring for loved ones who can no longer take care of themselves. Cognitive decline —once thought of as an unavoidable part of aging — is no longer a foregone conclusion, however. Modern science is giving us the chance to intervene earlier and may soon allow us to prevent the disease entirely.
Unfortunately, public policy has not kept up with the science. Now, President Donald Trump and Congress have an unprecedented opportunity to change that by passing the newly released Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act.
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation — introduced in November by Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida and Democratic Rep. Paul Tonko of New York with Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada introducing the Senate companion — would finally modernize how Medicare evaluates and covers new detection technologies. The ASAP Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved or FDA-cleared blood-based biomarker tests for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
This legislation is crucial. Right now, Medicare can only cover preventative services that are specifically authorized by Congress or recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This process can take years and cost patients valuable time — time they cannot afford to lose. The ASAP Act replaces that outdated model with a modern, science-driven approach that delivers access when seniors need it, not long after the fact.
Every day, science takes another step forward in the battle against this disease. There are now two FDA-approved therapies shown to slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s by targeting amyloid plaque buildup. Blood-based biomarker tests — used today to support diagnosis — are also helping patients fight back against Alzheimer’s.