Advocating for Alzheimer's: Impactful Public Policy in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, significant strides have been made in advocating for Alzheimer's disease through public policy efforts. Initiatives include the passage of the Alzheimer's & Dementia Act, funding for dementia care coordination, and promoting public awareness campaigns. Legislative actions aim to improve Alzheimer's and dementia care, enhance public health infrastructure, and provide vital support to caregivers. Massachusetts legislators have been instrumental in driving these efforts to address the growing impact of Alzheimer's on individuals and communities.
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Alzheimers Advocacy & Public Policy
Alzheimers Advocacy Alzheimer s disease is one of the most critical public health issues. The number of Americans living with the disease is growing--fast! And, the cost is far more than financial. We advocate to change the trajectory of this disease and to reach everyone experiencing Alzheimer s and all other dementia.
Massachusetts Policy Successes & Legislative Agenda
Thank you, Massachusetts Legislators! 2018 Passage of Alzheimer s & Dementia Act Funding for Dementia Care Coordination Funding for Public Awareness Campaign
Breakdown of 2018 Law Comprehensive State Plan Professional Education, Training, and Accountability Patient and Family Notification Alzheimer s and Dementia in the Acute Care Setting Protection from Abuse and Exploitation
An Act to improve Alzheimer's and dementia care in Senior Care Options (SCO) Programs (H.629/S.383) Sponsors: Representative Danielle Gregoire & Senator Jason Lewis Dementia Care Coordination provides vital support to family caregivers through integrated care coordination This bill would require Massachusetts Senior Care Options (SCO) plans, which serve dual eligible seniors, to provide DCC services to members who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease and other dementias.
An Act to strengthen our public health infrastructure to address Alzheimer s and all dementia (H.2178/S.1380) Sponsors: Representative Denise Garlick & Senator Adam Gomez Directs DPH to inform public of Alzheimer's and other dementias Collect relevant data on Alzheimer's and other dementia in Massachusetts, including racial and ethnic disparities Create a position within the state government that is charged with coordination of services, training standards and public awareness efforts for Alzheimer s disease
An Act to strengthen the direct care and dementia workforce (H.2245/S.1408) Sponsors: Representative Tram Nguyen & Senator Paul Mark Incentivizes careers in the direct care workforce, as well as provides opportunities for career development through: CNA Training Pilot Program Home Health Aide to CNA to LPN career pathway Loan repayment for Geriatricians, Neurologists and Neuropsychologists
An Act relative to early-onset Alzheimer's Disease (H.614) Sponsor: Representative Bruce Ayers Many services for those with Alzheimer s and dementia are restricted to those over 60 This bill requires services provided through the MassHealth Frail Elder Home and Community-Based Services Waiver shall be made available to persons diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer s disease regardless of their age, if they are otherwise eligible for such services.
An Act relative to patient access to biomarker testing to provide appropriate therapy (H.1074/S.689) Sponsors: Representative Meghan Kilcoyne & Senator Susan Moran Require appropriate coverage for biomarker testing to support the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer s and other dementia. Remove barriers that prevent people living with dementia from benefiting from biomarker testing.
Massachusetts Budget Priorities Thanks to the legislature, the FY24 budget included $250,000 for a public awareness and education campaign as recommended by the CDC $300,000 to expand access to DCC in order to reduce hospitalizations, emergency department visits and delay long- term care placements *We are asking the legislature to maintain this funding in FY25*
Massachusetts Advocacy Day Massachusetts State House Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Join us for our Briefing at 10am in Room 428 Register Here:
Current State Priorities How You Can Help Legislators: Ask Chair Lawn and Chair Friedman to report these bills favorably out of Health Care Financing Constituents: Ask your Legislators to contact the Chairs of Health Care Financing and ask that the bills be reported favorably out of the committee
