Bill Raises Additional Funding For Alzheimer’s Research Through Treasury Bonds
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September 23, 2010
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Striving to increase funding for research for Alzheimer’s, the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) last night introduced H.R. 6169, the Making Investments Now for Dementia (MIND) Act. The legislation authorizes the establishment of United States Alzheimer’s Bonds, providing all Americans a way to aid in the search for a cure for this difficult and costly disease.
“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most burdensome diseases facing Americans today, taking an immense emotional, physical, and financial toll on those affected. There is no cure, yet research funding is not equivalent to other comparable illnesses,” Burgess said. “It is important that additional avenues of funding are designated, and the MIND Act will help bring research funds for Alzheimer’s up to par, so we can work to find a cure to this devastating disease.”
There are currently 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, but the number of Americans who will become afflicted with Alzheimer’s is rising – anticipated to increase by more than fifty percent over the next twenty years.
In addition to affecting millions of Americans and their friends and family members, Alzheimer’s is a very expensive disease, costing the United States $172 billion annually, and as the population of Alzheimer’s patients continues to grow, so will these costs. However, for every dollar that is spent on the costs of Alzheimer’s care, less than a penny is invested in finding a cure.
The MIND Act is supported by several individuals and groups determined to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, founder of the Center for Health Transformation; Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and former director of the National Cancer Institute; the American Academy of Neurology; the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America; and the Alzheimer's Association.
“The MIND Act creates an opportunity to allow all Americans to have an impact and support those personally affected by this disease, while also investing in the long term future of our country’s health,” Speaker Gingrich said.
“This will truly save lives,” Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach said of the MIND Act.
“Neurologists are on the front lines in providing care for the more than five million Americans living with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease and providing counsel to their families and caregivers,” said Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN, president of the American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists with more than 22,000 members. “It is essential that Congress think in innovative ways, as suggested in the MIND Act, to encourage research into the prevention, treatment and cures of neurologic disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.”
“By establishing the issuance of United States Alzheimer’s Bonds, we can create an additional source of funding specifically for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health. An advance in Alzheimer research has the potential both to save millions of lives and billions of dollars for the nation’s public health programs,” Robert Egge, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Alzheimer’s Association, said of the legislation.
The MIND Act would:
- Establish the issuance of United States Alzheimer’s Bonds to aid in the funding of Alzheimer’s research by creating an additional avenue of funding.
- Proceeds of bond sales would fund the program and be directed to the Director of the National Institutes of Health solely for Alzheimer’s research.
- The revenues generated by the sale of United States Alzheimer’s Bonds would be funds available for research in addition to yearly appropriated funds, rather than supplementing current funding.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, and a member of the Health and Energy & Environment subcommittees. He is the founder and Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, and is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Prior to becoming a member of Congress in 2002, Congressman Burgess practiced medicine in North Texas for over 25 years.
