Few diseases touch every American family the way Alzheimer’s does. It robs loved ones of their memories and independence and forces millions of families to become full-time caregivers overnight. But science now gives us something we’ve never had before: the ability to detect it early, giving patients more time, options and hope.
As someone who represents one of the oldest districts in the nation—and as a former caretaker for an elderly parent struggling with cognitive decline—I’ve seen firsthand how urgently we need to change the way we detect and treat this disease. That’s why I’ve introduced the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act to empower at-risk Americans to access the tools they need to detect and prevent Alzheimer's.
My bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) ensures that patients have timely access to FDA-approved tests that allow doctors to identify Alzheimer’s disease through a simple blood sample, detecting it in its earliest stages. With Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) leading the companion bill in the Senate, this legislation modernizes Medicare’s coverage process by permitting the Secretary of Health and Human Services to authorize coverage for these tests without unnecessary delays.
More than 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s, including 580,000 seniors in Florida. With cases expected to reach 13 million by 2050, the need for early detection and prevention has never been more urgent.
It’s time to give families the tools they need to detect Alzheimer’s sooner and prepare for the future.
Alzheimer’s begins years before symptoms appear, creating a critical window for intervention. Yet under current law, Medicare only covers preventive services specifically authorized by Congress or recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. This outdated process delays coverage for years after new screening tests receive FDA approval, preventing patients from accessing innovative diagnostic technologies and tests that could identify Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages.
For the first time, science now makes it possible to screen for Alzheimer’s through a simple blood draw, something that could change the trajectory of millions of families’ lives. Detecting Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear helps patients and families plan for the future, seek care sooner and preserve their quality of life. As technology advances, our policies must keep up. The ASAP Act will make sure every American can benefit from these life-saving innovations as science continues to advance.
Research from the Alzheimer’s Association shows the toll of this disease extends far beyond those diagnosed. In Florida, caring for people with Alzheimer’s costs the state’s Medicaid program more than $3.7 billion annually. 870,000 Floridians provide 1.3 billion hours of unpaid care each year, valued at over $28 billion. Among these caregivers, two-thirds report chronic health conditions and more than one in four experience depression. Expanding access to early detection through the ASAP Act could reduce these costs, ease the burden on families and improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers
Too often, this disease is detected only after symptoms have progressed, leaving families with fewer options and limited time to prepare.
Prevention should be at the heart and minds of American health care. When we prioritize early detection and invest in innovative approaches to care, we can not only improve outcomes for patients but also strengthen families, reduces strain on providers and lowers long-term costs for taxpayers.
Alzheimer’s is not a partisan issue but a human one that affects families in every community across the nation. By expanding access to early detection, we can bring hope to millions, ease the burden on caregivers and help seniors live longer, healthier lives. As science advances, Congress must act to ensure our health policies evolve alongside the breakthroughs shaping modern medicine.
Rep. Vern Buchanan represents Florida’s 16th Congressional District. He serves as vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and chair of the Health Subcommittee.
