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 The ASAP Act replaces that outdated model with a modern, science-driven approach that delivers access when seniors need it, not long after the fact.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.
The American public overwhelmingly supports forward-leaning policy reforms like the ASAP Act. A national poll from Trump’s pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward found that 92 percent of voters want a national strategy to defeat Alzheimer’s, and nearly nine in 10 said they would credit Trump for directing Medicare to cover innovative diagnostic tools and treatments. Among swing-district voters, Republicans who lead on this issue gain a 19-point advantage. Now, with the ASAP Act, Congress and Trump can meet the moment.
This issue could help unify the Republican Party at a time when it desperately needs it. Make America Healthy Again is a core tenet of the Trump era, Making progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s is a perfect opportunity to realize this vision in a way that everyone can agree on.
The stakes are enormous. Alzheimer’s disease costs American families more than $360 billion every year. At a time when many Americans report feeling financially stressed, we should be doing everything we can to help lift this heavy burden.
Our federal government could benefit, too. Earlier diagnosis would allow families to prepare sooner, seek treatment earlier, and reduce long-term strain on Medicaid and Medicare.
Trump has made cutting bureaucratic delays a signature priority and legacy aim. Passing the ASAP Act would extend that mission to one of the most critical public health challenges of our time. I hope he, along with our elected leaders in Washington, will do just that. For pushing progress in the fight against the scourge of Alzheimer’s is to the benefit of every single American.
Christian Josi is the founder and managing director of C. Josi & Company, a global communications and public affairs resource organization.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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