Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) spoke on the House floor in favor of the House-passed H.R. 3747 the Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act. The passage of this legislation marks a significant milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The bipartisan AADAPT Act improves educational resources for health care workers, allowing them to better support individuals and families living with these dementias. Congressman LaHood co-led the bill alongside Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20).
“Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases impact too many individuals and families throughout America and Illinois’ 16th Congressional District,” said Rep. LaHood. “As co-chair of the Alzheimer's Working Group, I am proud to co-lead legislation like the AADAPT Act to strengthen support for patients and ensure our local primary care providers have the specialized training they need to treat, diagnose, and care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. I thank my colleagues in the House for supporting this critical piece of legislation and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to send the bill to the President’s desk so we can enhance the quality of care and strengthen our support for patients and their families.”
“New treatments and new diagnostic tools are transforming what is possible for people living with Alzheimer’s. The AADAPT Act ensures that primary care providers across the country — especially in rural and underserved communities — have the resources they need to bring that progress to their patients. We thank the bipartisan champions of this legislation for helping make that possible,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president.
Watch Rep. LaHood's Full Remarks Below:
 |
 |
Background:
Alzheimer’s disease impacts over seven million Americans. However, many primary care providers, especially those serving rural or underserved populations, report they lack the proper resources and additional training necessary to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Today, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are under-detected in the primary care setting about 50 percent of the time.
The AADAPT Act ensures that individuals and families facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia receive earlier support, accurate information, and care that reflects their needs. This legislation is a critical step toward closing the diagnosis gap and reducing care disparities in rural communities.
###
