Happy Holidays to You All!
Welcome readers!
On behalf of the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, I would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and Happy New Year! Here are few things I would like to share with you:
Memory Walk and Advocacy
What a great season we had! We had four amazing walks this year and were successful in recruiting 120 new advocates! As the year ends and we look ahead to 2010, let us remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” For the New Year and beyond, let us stand united in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. As an advocate, it is important to keep the movers and shakers of public policy interested. Advocacy is a grassroots effort. This form of advocacy is one of the most effective ways of bringing about change. The more advocates we have, the louder our voice. Effective advocacy lies in team effort. Ask a friend, colleague and/or neighbor to become an advocate this New Year, and have them call us at 609.275.1180, for information on becoming an advocate. Let’s continue the momentum of Memory Walk and advocacy into the New Year and beyond!
Federal Updates
Health Care Reform Update
On November 7 the House of Representatives passed the "Affordable Health Care for America Act," H.R.3962, by a vote of 220-215.
We are pleased that many Alzheimer's-specific provisions were included in the House version of health care reform legislation. As the Senate works on its version of the health reform bill, we will continue to weigh-in to ensure that Alzheimer related provisions are included.
Learn more about Alzheimer's-related provisions here.
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act
This legislation authorizes a significant increase in funding for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion to restore momentum to the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
When the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act was introduced in 2007, Alzheimer advocates helped secure 92 cosponsors over 19 months. Because the bill was never brought to a vote, the Breakthrough Act (S.1492/H.R.3286) was reintroduced this year in July. In just five busy months, thanks again to the remarkable efforts of advocates, we have secured 111 cosponsors to support this bill!
Because we still have a long way to go in the process of the Breakthrough Act becoming law, we need to keep up the momentum on this bipartisan legislation. Check out the list of current cosponsors here. If your members of Congress are not listed, ask them to sign on today!
State Updates
NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Advocacy Action Needed!
Please contact your legislator, and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! . Tell public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to reintroducing this legislation in the new session. The bill numbers for the 2008-2009 sessions were: (S2872/A4008).
The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: give an overview of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor on how the state can better serve individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
Stay tuned in 2010 for a new blog entry and to learn more about what is going in state and federal policy. For more information about public policy and advocacy, please visit http://www.alznj.org/. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.
