During the government shutdown, we all hoped our elected officials would reach a fast and fair resolution to the financial crisis.
A partial answer came Oct. 17 when congressional leaders agreed to fund the government, raise the debt ceiling and form a budget conference to compile a report on long-term spending plans.
Missouri’s U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is one of the 29 members of Congress appointed to the budget conference — seven from the House and 21 from the Senate — made up of 14 Republicans, 13 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats.
The timing of this budget conference is critical for the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease as well as more than 15 million caregivers.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan helped launch a national campaign against Alzheimer’s disease by signing a proclamation declaring November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
Since then, staff and volunteers of the Alzheimer’s Association have worked tirelessly to raise much-needed funds to enhance care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and to help advance research of this disease.
November marks the 30th anniversary of Reagan declaring the first National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and because researchers have found no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression, this is still a disease that needs a strong fight.
We were optimistic when Congress unanimously approved the bipartisan National Alzheimer’s Project Act (P.L. 111-375) in 2012. As a result, the federal government released the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which included an initial goal to “Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025.”
To support the plan, President Obama asked Congress to commit additional resources in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. His fiscal-year 2014 budget proposal includes an additional $100 million for Alzheimer’s research, care and support. These funds must be approved by Congress as part of the appropriations process.
Alzheimer’s is the only one of the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed, and without funding, the escalating Alzheimer’s epidemic will have a profound impact on our government and on our families.
I lost my dad to this devastating disease, and I want to be sure that other families are spared the emotional and financial burdens that my family endured.
That’s why I need your help.
Over the next few weeks, Blunt and his colleagues will try to find common ground between both budgets and report their findings by Dec. 13. We need to ensure that the $100 million allocated by the president to fight Alzheimer’s disease remains in the FY14 budget.
Please contact Blunt and encourage his support for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, helping make Alzheimer’s disease funding a priority as the final budget is developed.
Linda Newkirk is executive director of the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
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