Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Statement on Senate Appropriations Committee Approval of FY 2019 Funding Increase for Alzheimer’s Disease Research
(June 29, 2018)— The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a package that includes a $425 million increase in funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2019, potentially bringing federal investment in Alzheimer’s research to the level the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease says is needed to find a better treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s by 2025. If passed by the full Senate and House and signed into law by the President, this would put overall funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at approximately $2.25 billion for FY 2019. The Senate action comes on the heels of House Appropriations Subcommittee approval of $401 million in additional resources for Alzheimer’s research at NIH . The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) issued the following statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO:
“Alzheimer’s is not a political issue, it is a public health crisis which demands continued action from the federal government. We are extremely grateful that both parties continue to work together on this issue and recognize the importance of investing in promising research at NIH, which we hope will ultimately lead to a cure or a prevention for Alzheimer’s. Leading Alzheimer’s scientists say that $2 billion is the minimum amount needed to achieve the goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease of finding a cure or more effective treatment by 2025. At long last, this increase would put funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at that level, offering greater potential to make a real impact in our search for a cure or better treatment. AFA commends all the committee members who worked to pass this measure, and we encourage the full Senate and House, as well as the President, to approve this increase as well. AFA will continue working with all stakeholders, including advocates, Congressional representatives, and the White House to pass a FY 2019 budget with increases for NIH, which will ensure that finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease remains a national priority.”
AFA—whose mission is to provide optimal care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families—has called for a minimum of $2.25 billion a year in federal funding for Alzheimer’s disease research in FY 2019. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is the only disease state in the top 10 causes of death for which there is neither a cure nor impactful treatment.
