Research Goals in National Alzheimer's Plan Require More Funding from Congress

Statement by Stacy Pagos Haller, President and CEO, BrightFocus Foundation

CLARKSBURG, MD—We commend the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for updating the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease, released on June 14, 2013.  The plan sets multiple goals, including preventing and treating Alzheimer's by the year 2025, and providing enhanced care and support for Alzheimer's patients and their families.

Now it's up to Congress, through the appropriations process, to provide the funding for Alzheimer's disease research—the step most likely to help our nation reach the Plan goal of preventing this devastating disease.

As an organization that funds innovative, early-stage research on Alzheimer's disease, BrightFocus Foundation is particularly impressed with HHS efforts in the last year to enhance and expand research support.  This included hosting the Alzheimer's Disease Research Summit 2012: Path to Treatment and Prevention, and the NIH funding of multiple new Alzheimer's research projects, including two major clinical trials.

To accomplish its multiple goals, the Plan needs concrete funding to move the research objectives and patient care services forward. Scientists, in particular, need more research funding if we are to reach a national objective of ending this tragic disease in the next 12 years.

The rising tide of Americans who have Alzheimer's disease, or who care for loved ones with the disease, will bankrupt our health system if we fail to act now. We urge Congress to provide the necessary appropriations to make the goals of this plan a reality.

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. For more information, call 1-800-437-2423.