WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) today reintroduced legislation with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to authorize the current United States Postal Service (USPS) Alzheimer’s research stamp for an additional six years, providing more time to raise additional Alzheimer’s research funds for the National Institutes of Health. Approximately 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, and Alzheimer’s and other dementias are anticipated to cost $290 billion in 2019 alone.
 
“Alzheimer's is a disease close to my heart, and we are working every day to improve research and treatment so we can find a cure,” Senator Capito said. “Not only will this stamp continue a source of funding for critically important Alzheimer’s research, but it will also help honor the memory and courage of those who have battled this heartbreaking disease. This bipartisan legislation is another step toward ending this devastating disease and providing help and comfort to all those affected by it.”
 
Every time we use one of these stamps for a package or letter in the mail, we can literally send support for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease,” Senator Markey said. “As we recognize Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, we should celebrate the progress we have made in enhancing research funding at the National Institutes of Health for this devastating disease and keep pushing for more research and investments that will help get us closer to identifying a treatment or cure.”
 
“Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, this rate will double to every 33 seconds unless we take action,” Senator Collins said. “As the founder of the Alzheimer’s Task Force in the Senate and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I recently helped secure a $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s research—the largest increase in history—bringing the total to $2.32 billion. By allowing Americans to continue to purchase Alzheimer’s research stamps, our legislation will build on this funding to support the NIH’s efforts to combat this devastating disease.”
 
“Alzheimer’s has impacted countless families in Maryland and across our country. That’s why together we’ve fought to increase funding for critical research on this disease,” Senator Van Hollen said. “This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to maintain the availability of the Alzheimer’s stamp for six more years. Whether it’s sending holiday packages or mailing a letter to a friend, every dollar we put towards research can help make a difference.”
 
USPS first issued the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp on November 30, 2017, under authority provided through the Semipostal Authorization Act. Under this law, USPS will issue five semipostal stamps for ten years, with each stamp being available for up to two years. The legislation introduced today would keep the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp available for an additional six years without preventing USPS from issuing the next stamp.
 
Representatives Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) also introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
 
A copy of the legislation is available here.

 

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