CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON HELPS BUILD MOMENTUM of ALZHEIMER’S LEGISLATION

Thompson

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Bennie_thompson2014Jackson, MS – Today, Congressman Bennie Thompson committed to co-sponsor The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 1559) which was reintroduced in March by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Peter Roskam (R-IL-06) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03). The Alzheimer’s Association strongly supports this bipartisan legislation, which will ensure Medicare beneficiaries newly-diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and their families receive comprehensive care planning services.

Tasheena N. Galmore of Jonestown, MS, who serves as Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter Ambassador to the office of Congressman Bennie Thompson, has worked closely with the congressman’s office and was honored to receive a personal call from Congressman Thompson upon his sponsorship of the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. “An advocate is a voice for the voiceless and hope for our future; advocating for me is simply love,” said Miss. Galmore

The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act would increase access to information on care and support for newly diagnosed individuals and their families – providing essential support for those facing this devastating, debilitating disease. It would also ensure that an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis is documented in the individual’s medical record. The latest version of the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act is also consistent with recommendations made in the first-ever National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, released by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2012 and updated in 2014.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, in Mississippi 51,000 are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 205,000 friends and family members endure the significant emotional, physical and financial challenges of caregiving for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. In addition to the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer’s, the country’s most expensive condition, will cost the nation $226 billion in 2015 with projections to reach $1.1 trillion by 2050. Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars will be spent on someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

“With the challenges faced by those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, it is critical that we provide the best available support and resources to cope with this devastating disease.  Coupled with the recent announcements of historic increases in Alzheimer’s disease research funding by both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Thompson’s co-sponsorship of the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act builds on the momentum,” said Patty Dunn, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter.  “We applaud and appreciate the diligence of Alzheimer’s Ambassadors like Tasheena Galmore and Champions such as Congressman Bennie Thompson.”

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and advocacy, visit www.alz.org.

Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit alz.org