Rep Jackson supports Alzheimer’s Legislation

A simple blood test can now detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear — a scientific milestone that could change lives. My mom, like so many others struggled to get a diagnosis, and when she was finally able too, her symptoms had already progressed significantly.

Under current law Medicare cannot cover any Demetia screening test for people without symptoms. This is not a scientific barrier, but a legal one we need Congress to fix. If this kind of screening was available when we were getting my mom’s diagnosis, it would have given us more opportunities to get her on medications early, or even in a clinical trial.

I’m thankful my Congressman, Jonathan Jackson, cosponsored the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act! This bill will give Alzheimer’s its “mammogram moment” — just as Congress enabled Medicare to cover routine mammograms, leading to earlier detection and declining breast cancer deaths, Congress can deliver the same breakthrough moment for Alzheimer’s.

Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in thanking Congressman Jonathan Jackson for cosponsoring the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, and encouraging him to tell congressional leadership to move this bill ASAP! For families like mine, this could’ve meant more time - and now Congress can give that to families affected by Alzheimer’s or another dementia now.

To learn more about this disease and how you can join the fight to end Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org