The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Having recently lost a father to the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s Disease, I feel strongly about the importance of research to prevent and cure this horrible disease.

Alzheimer’s is currently the most expensive disease in America, not only in terms of medical care costs, but the negative financial and emotional impact it has on family members of Alzheimer’s Disease patients. Alzheimer’s will cost more than $236 billion this year alone. Not to mention the threat it poses to the long-term financial viability of the Medicare & Medicaid programs.

Increasing annual funding for National Institutes of Health research on Alzheimer’s Disease is a crucial investment. The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a bill adding $400 million this year. The corresponding House Committee is proposing to add $350 million.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell have all been very supportive of Alzheimer’s Disease research and legislation. I appreciate their efforts and urge all of them to add $400 million for Alzheimer’s Disease research by cosponsoring H.R. 3119/S. 2748, which will increase the availability of palliative care and hospice care providers in caring for Alzheimer’s Disease patients and those who may suffer from this horrible disease in the future.

Mark Newbold

Spokane