Senator Bennett co-sponsors bill to create National Alzheimer's Project Act

Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, is co-sponsoring the National Alzheimer's Project. The proposal would create an office within the White House to coordinate all research, clinical care and service toward the prevention, care and cure of Alzheimer's.  

"Alzheimer's takes a tremendous emotional and financial toll on over 75,000 Coloradans and their families," said Bennet. Yet our nation's health care system is not set up to appropriately coordinate and share the research we're doing to prevent, cure and care for our patients. This bill will streamline the country's research efforts so that we can better find ways to combat this disease while also making much better use of our taxpayer dollars."

Almost half of all Americans who reach age 85 and beyond will be afflicted with Alzheimer's. The Office of the National Alzheimer's Project's director would be appointed to the Domestic Policy Council and the Office of Science and Technology, and would have input in all realms relating to this devastating disease. The Office would also focus on groups at higher risk for Alzheimer's, and groups that are underserved by Alzheimer's programs.

Senator Bennet, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, is an original co-sponsor of the legislation, which was introduced by Senators Martinez and Bayh. Senators Collins, Feingold and Tester also joined Bennet in co-sponsorship.