WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) co-sponsored a bipartisan measure to help military families combat Alzheimer’s disease and support those suffering or caring for a military family member with this devastating illness.
More than 5 million Americans are living with this disease, and more than 15 million people serve as their caregivers. This measure, introduced by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and offered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, promotes the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s under the TRICARE program.
“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that hits close to home for so many West Virginia families, including my own. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be very overwhelming, which is why I introduced the HOPE Act earlier this year to provide Alzheimer’s patients and their families with information about the disease and possible treatment options. This bipartisan amendment builds on that legislation by ensuring our military families have the tools they need to care for their families and themselves under TRICARE,” said Senator Capito.
Members of the military face unique risks due to their environment that could lead to a greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Certain types of traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. During the years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reported hundreds of thousands of documented cases of traumatic brain injury among active duty members.
Based on of the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, this measure would ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their families have access to a care planning session with their doctor to help them understand the diagnosis, treatment options, and what medical and military services are available.
The HOPE Act introduced by Senators Capito, Stabenow, Collins and Ed Markey (D-MA) earlier this year calls for the creation of a planning session under Medicare. This amendment would put in place the same session under TRICARE. The measure also calls on the Defense Secretary to determine whether additional support and services should be provided to caregivers of service members with Alzheimer’s disease.
Fewer than half of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s say they were told the diagnosis, according to a just-released 2015 Alzheimer’s Association report. In contrast, more than 90 percent of people with the four most common cancers (breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate) say they were told their diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $226 billion in 2015 according to the new report.
This measure is also cosponsored by Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mark Warner (D-VA).