Charleston Leader

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act of 2024. This legislation aims to reauthorize funding for public health initiatives across the country to combat Alzheimer’s disease and preserve brain health. The original BOLD Act, authored by these bipartisan senators, was signed into law in 2018.

"Over the past five years, the BOLD Act has begun its work to create an Alzheimer’s disease public health infrastructure across the country," said Senator Capito. "By empowering our federal and state public health agencies to play an expanded role in areas such as increasing early detection and supporting dementia caregiving, this legislation is having a direct impact on millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. This remains a very personal priority for me and by reauthorizing the BOLD Act, we can continue this momentum and work to provide hope for those touched by this devastating disease."

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act takes a multi-pronged public health approach to reduce risk, detect early symptoms, advance care, improve data, and ultimately change the trajectory of this devastating disease. It is led by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). The reauthorization would authorize $33 million per year over the next five years to support various initiatives.

One aspect of the legislation is the establishment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Public Health Centers of Excellence. These centers are dedicated to promoting effective Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving interventions, as well as educating the public on Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and brain health. Currently, there are three Centers that focus on key issues related to dementia.

Another component is the provision of Public Health Cooperative Agreements with the CDC. These agreements are awarded to State Health Departments to help them meet local needs in promoting brain health, reducing the risk of cognitive decline, improving care for those with Alzheimer’s, and other key public health activities.

The legislation also includes Data Grants to improve the analysis and timely reporting of data on Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, caregiving, and health disparities at the state and national levels.

Alzheimer's is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 39,000 people aged 65 and older in West Virginia and 6.7 million Americans nationwide living with the disease. The financial burden is also substantial, with the United States spending over $345 billion per year, including $222 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Without major breakthroughs, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to double by 2050, costing the nation more than $1.1 trillion per year.

Senator Capito has been a strong advocate for funding the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act. With her support, funding for the Act has increased from $10 million in fiscal year 2020 to $33 million in fiscal year 2023.

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act of 2024 is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. In the House of Representatives, U.S. Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.-02) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20) have introduced a companion bill.

The introduction of the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act of 2024 by Senators Capito, Collins, Cortez Masto, and Kaine demonstrates their commitment to addressing Alzheimer's disease and improving the lives of those affected by it. This bipartisan effort aims to provide the necessary funding and resources to combat this devastating disease and support individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer's nationwide.