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Washington, DC– A bipartisan bill introduced last month by Congressman Brett Guthrie and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) is gaining momentum.

“I’m pleased to see so many of my colleagues – from both sides of the aisle – supporting this important effort,” said Congressman Guthrie. “As the sixth leading cause of disease in the United States, most Americans have a very personal connection to Alzheimer’s. One hundred cosponsors strong, together we are making this a top priority.”

H.R. 4351, the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act, seeks to ensure that the research and resources needed to find a cure for Alzheimer's are properly conveyed to Congress.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than five million Americans are currently living with the disease, and someone develops the disease every 67 seconds. 

Alzheimer’s is the costliest disease in America, with a direct cost of roughly $200 billion, most of which is paid by Medicare and Medicaid, and accounts for 20 percent of Medicare spending.  These numbers are projected to continue to increase, making the discovery of a cure or way to delay onset critical to our health care economy.

“Eleven percent of Kentucky’s seniors are living with Alzheimer’s,” said Congressman Guthrie, upon the bill’s introduction.  "We must continue the valuable research so we can treat and hopefully cure those living with the disease, and protect future generations from the devastation it causes.”

A Senate companion bill (S. 2192) was also introduced in April by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA).

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