Last month, I wrote to my congressional representative re: the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act. What a pleasure to know our voices are being heard. The following is Congressman “Buck” McKeon’s reply.
Brenda Avadian, MA
July 6, 2011
Ms. Brenda Avadian
PO Box 589
Pearblossom, CA 93553
Dear Ms. Avadian:
Thank you for contacting me in support of the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act. I value your input and it’s an honor to serve you in Congress.
H.R. 1386, known as the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, was introduced by Rep. Edward Markey during the 111th Congress. This bill would provide comprehensive Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia. HOPE would also provide additional early detection and diagnostic services to Medicare patients. As reintroduced in the current session of the 112th Congress, HOPE amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia by improving detection, diagnosis, and care planning.
“…this bill has far–reaching consequences and implications, and as your Congressman I must try and strike a balance between spending on federal programs and a healthy fiscal future for the U.S.”
Rep. “Buck” McKeon
H.R. 1386 allows for diagnostic evaluation, including referral to a specialist if recommended, to individuals who do not already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. If the individual is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease under the diagnostic evaluation care planning services, including assistance understanding the diagnosis, as well as the medical and non-medical options for ongoing treatment will be provided.
I want you to know that I understand your concerns about the HOPE for Alzheimer’s legislation. As you can imagine, this bill has far–reaching consequences and implications, and as your Congressman I must try and strike a balance between spending on federal programs and a healthy fiscal future for the U.S. economy. In light of the significant federal debt and deficit, I have sought to find a balance between these critical federal programs and building more efficiency into these programs. My Republican colleagues and I remain committed to developing an affordable, portable, and cost effective health care program.
Once again, thank you for contacting me about this issue. As this piece of legislation continues to move through the house floor I will make sure to take your thoughts and opinions into account. I hope you will remain in touch in the future on other issues of importance to you.
For more information on my work in Congress, please sign up for my E-newsletter and text message updates and visit my Web site www.McKeon.house.gov. You can also interact with me on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Thank you again for contacting me; please feel free to continue to inform me of your views on issues important to you.
Sincerely,
Buck McKeon
Member of Congress
TCV Ed: Sometimes, just raising awareness is the key. The cumulative financial, physical, and cognitive consequences of not being able to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s will be so great, they could cripple our great nation.
