Not sure why this is something for the U.S. Senate.
02.07.18
Capito, Stabenow, Roskam, Sanchez Introduce Bill to Improve Assessment, Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) today introduced the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, bipartisan legislation to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. With as many as 16 million Americans expected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by 2050, the legislation seeks to relieve the burden on caregivers and accelerate progress to disease modifying treatments. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) are original co-sponsors of the bill, and U.S. Representatives Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) today introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“The CHANGE Act takes a multi-prong approach to help the millions of Americans who are battling or are affected by this devastating disease,†Senator Capito said. “Having lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s, I truly understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on patients and their caregivers. This legislation will encourage early assessment and diagnosis to help lessen that burden and bring us one step closer to a cure.†...
Specifically, the CHANGE Act:
Requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify a uniform, reliable cognitive impairment detection tool or set of tools that will incentivize clinicians to detect, refer, and diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias in their earliest stages.
Creates a coverage and payment model that offers family caregivers evidence-based training and certification specific to dementia care.
Tests a comprehensive continuum of care through Medicaid that is modeled after the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). ...
From a Sen. Capito press release.
More info on the bill
Here.
