What Would Natalie Do? Public Policy Forum a HUGE Success!
The 19th Annual Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. was a spectacular success. Nearly 500 advocates stormed Capitol Hill on March 20th, accompanied by 2,000 “virtual visits” from advocates across the country who wrote personal letters appealing for more federal funding for Alzheimer research and programs. In addition, advocates participated in a hearing chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) on the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough and Family Assistance Act of 2007 .
As a result of the advocate meetings during the Forum, the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act (S 898/ HR 1560) now has 8 Senate cosponsors and 14 House cosponsors. In addition, 30 House members immediately signed on to a letter to the House Appropriations Committee seeking a $125 million increase in funding for Alzheimer research and funding for the Alzheimer care programs!
What Can I Do Now ?
1. Check out the list of cosponsors for the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2007 (S 898/HR 1560). Go to: http://www.alz.org/publicpolicyforum/07/downloads/Breakthrough%20ACt%20co-sponsors.doc
2. If you don’t see your members of Congress listed, ask them to sign on !
3. Visit the Public Policy Forum website at http://www.alz.org/forum and read more about the Forum successes.
US House and Senate Pass 2008 Budget Blueprints
Each year Congress begins its work on federal spending through a Budget Resolution. While the Budget Resolution doesn't set spending for specific programs, it provides funding limits that guide the Appropriations Committees when they make decisions on spending for specific programs later this spring (including Alzheimer research, the 24/7 Call Center, the CDC Brain Health Initiative, the Alzheimer State Matching Grants and Safe Return).
With the help of our advocates, the Senate passed a Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution (S Con Res 21) that includes a $3.8 billion increase in funding for medical research and health care services! This is the first step towards increasing funding for Alzheimer research and restoring funds for Alzheimer care programs cut in the President’s 2008 federal budget proposal. Unfortunately, the House version of the Budget Resolution (H Con Res 99) did not include an increase in funding for medical research and health care services.
Congress' next step is to resolve the differences between the Senate and House Budget Resolutions, which is expected to be finished by May 1st. Stay tuned for Alerts related to follow-up action on the Budget.
2007 Budget Finished
As we reported in the February Federal Update, Congress passed a “continuing resolution” that will fund most government programs this year at 2006 levels. We have since confirmed that funding for all of the Alzheimer care programs was fully restored.
Where do Alzheimer Research & Programs Stand in the Federal Budget?
| Federal Budget Items | 2007 Budget | 2008 Budget |
| Alzheimer research | $643 million | $642 million |
| 24/7 Helpline | $1 million | $0 |
| CDC Brain Health Initiative | $1.6 million | $1.6 million |
| State Matching Grants Program | $11.8 million | $0 |
| Safe Return® | $840,000 | $0 |
