North Carolina Legislative Update – May 2024 – Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog

This spring, the tireless efforts of advocates across North Carolina have led to significant advancements in state and federal Alzheimer’s legislation. Their work has not only bolstered policy priorities but also improved access for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Notable achievements include our State Advocacy Day, Advocacy Engagement Week, and the federal AIM Advocacy Forum. Here’s an overview of the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent and current public policy efforts impacting our state.

State Advocacy

On May 7, over 50 advocates from across North Carolina gathered in Raleigh for our NC State Advocacy Day. The day is designed to move legislators to action on Alzheimer’s and dementia policy that will improve the lives of North Carolina families impacted by the growing burden of Alzheimer’s. This year, advocates gathered at the North Carolina Museum of History for an update on state policy needs and to hear about the need to increase respite care funding for North Carolina’s 373,000 caregivers.

From there, advocates proceeded to the North Carolina legislative complex to urge state legislators to continue to improve the NC Dementia Capable State Alzheimer’s Plan by ensuring regular updates to the plan by passing House Bill 837 through the Senate. This bill is currently in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee. Join advocates in urging the Senate to move H837 this session.

One of the key issues our advocates addressed with legislators was the need to increase respite care funding through Project C.A.R.E., North Carolina’s only dementia-specific respite program. As the number of caregivers grows in North Carolina, Project C.A.R.E. needs additional funds to support the Alzheimer’s community. You can make a difference by sharing your support for respite care funding with your legislators. Click here to take action.

Federal Advocacy

In April, 23 advocates from across North Carolina were selected to travel to the nation’s capitol to ask for congressional support for key policies during the 2024 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Advocacy Forum.

The week brought together over 1,000 advocates from all 50 states to Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard and drive the success of the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movements’ federal priorities, including increasing Alzheimer’s research funding through the NIH and a brand new legislative priority, Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act.

The AADAPT Act (H.R. 7688) was introduced to build upon the existing Project ECHO video-conference-based education program, this legislation aims to empower primary care providers to better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings by addressing the knowledge gaps and workforce capacity issues primary care providers often face. You can help by taking action today!

Following our Advocacy Forum meetings in Washington D.C., Representatives Jackson, McHenry, and Hudson all signed onto our legislation- a direct result of the amazing conversations our advocates had with staff on The Hill.

This Spring, Congress also finalized the FY2024 budget, which resulted in a $100 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2024 (FY24). The bill also includes $34 million to fund and continue to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L. 115-406) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ask your member of Congress to continue to invest in Alzheimer’s research and public health infrastructure by taking action TODAY!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated volunteers for their advocacy work on these bipartisan priorities. Your support is crucial in improving the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s nationwide and here across North Carolina.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America. This is why we are unrelentingly advocating for public policies that increase critical research funding and support all those affected. Now is the time to join us.

There have been great strides in policy, but there is still much work to be done. To continue gaining support for our policies, volunteer advocates will continue to share their stories with their elected officials in the coming months. Interested in learning more about our advocacy program at either the state or federal level?