A Conversation with Maxine Waters, US Representative, California

Bipartisan Legislative Activity:

• The Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease operates as a bipartisan committee where members from both parties agree on resource appropriations and public policy regarding caregiver and patient support.
• Despite media focus on polarization and the impeachment narrative, the Congresswoman notes concurrent legislative progress on non-partisan issues including:
  • Reauthorization of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to improve export capabilities.
  • Agreement on the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Passage of TRIA (Terrorism Risk Insurance Act) to provide insurance company support following acts of terrorism or massive hurricanes.
• Affordable healthcare and the reduction of prescription drug costs remain top agenda items.
• The Congresswoman expresses optimism regarding bipartisan consensus on drug pricing legislation, noting that the primary remaining negotiation involves the specific number and types of drugs to be included.

Alzheimer's Funding and Goals:

• Strategic Objective: The national plan aims to secure a cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease by 2025.
• Funding Trajectory:
  • Research funding increased from approximately $586 million in 2015 to $2.3 billion in funding year 2019.
  • A 2020 appropriation request of $2.65 billion includes an additional $350 million increase.
  • Support for the 2020 bill includes signatures from 130 members of Congress.
• Economic Necessity: The Congresswoman asserts that without significant investment in research and cure efforts, the disease will bankrupt the nation.
• Private Sector Role: Significant research and development efforts are currently being driven by private industry spending independently of federal government support.

Personal Motivation and Caregiver Impact:

• The Congresswoman's advocacy is driven by her mother's death from Alzheimer's and the experiences of friends and colleagues whose family members suffer from the disease.
• Caregiver Strain: There is a growing burden on younger generations who serve as caregivers for multiple family members, often facing difficulties balancing care duties with employment.
• Tragic Consequences: The stress of caregiving is highlighted as a fatal factor in some cases, exemplified by the death of a young man who served as a devoted caretaker for his mother before she passed.

Outreach and Accessibility:

• Public Education: A primary need identified is correcting the misconception that memory loss is an inevitable part of aging; testing is encouraged even for minor memory lapses (e.g., forgetting keys) to rule out pathology.
• Demographic Gaps: Outreach efforts must target traditionally underrepresented populations and communities not connected to the internet to ensure equitable access to testing and care.
• Prevention and Management: Early detection is supported by discussions on nutrition and lifestyle changes to potentially slow disease progression.
• Medical Integration: Patients are urged to discuss testing with their doctors during annual checkups or seek referrals to specialists.

Conference Observations:

• Recent attendance at an Alzheimer's conference revealed advancements in testing methodologies and patient care technologies.
• The Congresswoman remains optimistic about achieving a cure due to the convergence of increased funding, private investment, and public interest.