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U.S. Flag and Missouri State Flag Kit Bond, Sixth Generation Missourian
Press Release and Statement Topics

Press Release

BOND HOLDS HEARING ON ALZHEIMER'S: Progress Being Made Towards the Understanding, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, May 11, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Aging, today at a hearing focused on recent breakthroughs in research on Alzheimer's disease, said there has been a great deal of progress being made towards the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this terrible disease.

"Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease with a deep impact on individuals, families and our health care system making it one of our country’s greatest medical, social and fiscal challenges," said Bond. "Right now, Alzheimer's research is producing some groundbreaking discoveries. This research offers hope for the millions of Americans suffering from the disease today."

In addition to the human suffering, this disease is a major financial stress on families and the health care system. Bond pointed out that in Missouri alone, there are over 108,000 people with Alzheimer's disease. Based on population growth, unless science finds a way to prevent or delay the onset of this disease, that number will increase to over 159,000 by 2025. Nationwide, approximately 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, with annual costs for this disease estimated to exceed $100 billion. Based on current trends, by 2050, 11 to 16 million individuals could have this disease.

Medicare costs for a person with Alzheimer’s are almost three times greater than the average for all beneficiaries. Also, as the baby boomers age, the costs to the Medicare program will reach $50 billion in less than 10 years. The costs to Medicaid will increase 80 percent to $33 billion annually in less than 10 years.

Over the past twenty years tremendous progress has been made in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Bond stressed. It is now possible to diagnose Alzheimer’s with more than 90 percent accuracy. Also, new drugs and new treatments are being introduced each year. As a result of the crucial investments in research, the stage has been set for scientific and medical advances to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Bond is a cosponsor of S. 566, The Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Prevention, and Care Act. This legislation would reauthorize the highly successful Administration on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants to the States Program. Thirty-nine states, including Missouri, are participating in this program. This important program is fostering the development of innovative models of care for person’s with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, especially those in rural and low-income communities.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.

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