Tom Waring, the Wire
U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick is marking Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month with a call for increased public education and research funding for the disease.
“Living with Alzheimer’s is a harsh reality for over 5 million Americans and their families — a fact we acknowledge this June during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month,” he said. “While we raise awareness of this devastating disease, we also must redouble our efforts to find a cure.”
Fitzpatrick is calling for a $200 million increase in Alzheimer’s research funding through the National Institutes of Health. He is also sponsoring the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education for Alzheimer’s Act, which increases access to information on care and support for newly diagnosed individuals and their families.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of Alzheimer’s cases in the United States is expected to grow from 5 million today to more than 16 million by 2050. At the same time, Medicare costs associated with the disease will increase more than 500 percent to $708 billion.
“It is vital that we act now to head off what could be a crisis within the next generation,” he said. “By working year round to provide increased information and needed resources, we can take meaningful steps toward defeating this debilitating disease.”
“Congressman Fitzpatrick has been a true champion for Alzheimer’s in Congress. His outreach in Pennsylvania to spread awareness of this devastating disease and to highlight services available for his constituents is a shining example for his colleagues,” said Robert Egge, vice president of public policy and advocacy for the Alzheimer’s Association. “The congressman has also been outspoken in his support for increased funding for Alzheimer’s research, education and support services.”
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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick released the following statement last week regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ announcement that it would remove Philadelphia regional office assistant director Lucy Filipov and pension center manager Gary Hodge after an internal report cited their roles at a party where workers were encouraged to pay to use a medium:
“I am pleased that the VA is beginning to take action to remove those responsible for the reckless and harmful actions at the Philadelphia VARO. Whistleblower reports, confirmed by OIG investigations, show a level of systemic mismanagement that can only be addressed by replacing those involved with new, truly committed individuals.”
Fitzpatrick is serving his fourth and final term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
