Alzheimer's Association (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=glKXKhPSJdIQLiK&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H)

Federal Update

July 2009

Advocate Action

Contact Your Chapter (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwKYJgMTImJ6JrL&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H)
Questions?
Email: justin.knabb@alz.org (mailto:justin.knabb@alz.org)

Health Care Reform
The health care reform debate continues to dominate the national agenda in Washington, DC. Congress has set its goal to have a health care bill completed by the end of the summer, but the timeline is already slipping.

However, our message to Congress remains clear: Congress must pass health care reform that includes long-term care services and supports this year.

What Can I Do Now?

We must keep the pressure on Congress.

Join other Alzheimer's advocates by participating in local activities with your members of Congress to press our health care reform agenda. Advocates are needed to visit district offices and attend public meetings. Contact your chapter (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8dJGLPMjFdJLIXK&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H) to learn more.

Issue Update

Here is an update on commitments members of Congress have made to our issues:


230, including West Virginia Representative Nick Rahall and Ohio Representative Charlie Wilson, indicate support to end the two-year waiting period for Medicare*;


201, including West Virginia Representative Shelley Moore Capito, indicate support for a $250 million increase in Alzheimer research funding; and


86 indicate support the creation of an Alzheimer's Solutions Project Office.


67 members indicate support for all 3 issues!

*108 members of Congress have co-sponsored the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700/H.R.1708). View the list (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=etITIbPLJeKUIiI&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H).

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Congressmen Rahall and Wilson for co-sponsoring the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009, and to Congresswoman Capito for writing a letter to the House Appropriations Committee to request an additional $250 million in National Institute of Health funding for Alzheimer's research.

Advocate in Action:
Teresa Lambert, North Central Texas Chapter

Teresa Lambert (pictured at right) was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2007 and serves as a passionate voice in advocacy.

Teresa is one of nearly half a million people under the age of 65 who have Alzheimer's disease.


Teresa, pictured with Rep. Gene
Green (TX-29) at the 2009 Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwKZJkMXIhJ1JsL&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H).
She strongly believes the two-year wait for Medicare should be eliminated.

In November, Teresa was featured as an Advocate in Action for sharing her experiences at a press conference on Capitol Hill. Her story was recently featured
on National Public Radio's (NPR) All Things Considered. Read or listen (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=afILKZNvGaIOL8K&s=8eJMIWPwFiKJKUOCIrH&m=hjIOL4OHKdI3H) to Teresa's profile now.

What's your Advocate in Action story? Would you like to be featured in a future
Federal Update? Contact advocate@alz.org (mailto:advocate@alz.org).
















Mailing Address:
Alzheimer's Association West Virginia Chapter
1111 Lee Street, East
Charleston, WV 25301
US

Contact Name: Gabrielle Corey
Telephone Number: (304) 343-2717