Just two months into 2023, and advocates across North Carolina have been hard at work on state and federal levels to bolster policy priorities and access for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias from a public health perspective.
Federal Advocacy
The 118th Congress convened on January 3, 2023, with a delegation of 14 members of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate. Of our 16 federal representatives, six were new to their position in Washington. This gave Alzheimer’s advocates an exciting opportunity to begin building relationships with their members of Congress, sharing their personal stories, and asking for support for important Alzheimer’s priorities.
Advocates have urged their members of Congress to join the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and to join representatives from across the country in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments. We invite you to use your voice & join our advocates in asking your representatives to support these priorities by clicking the links above.
Over a two-week period at the end of January, advocates met with Congressional District Offices across the state to discuss the importance & urgency of being able to access FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments and encouraging their members of Congress to join the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, which has grown bipartisan congressional support for policies that improve the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia since 1999. Advocates leveraged their own passion for more support & care that stems from their own experiences with dementia and made meaningful pleas to their federal representatives.
Resulting from conversations had during District meetings, Congresswoman Deborah Ross who represents District 2, joined a bipartisan letter led by House of Representatives colleagues that urged CMS to re-evaluate their coverage determination. Following Rep. Ross’ support, both Senator Tillis and Senator Budd signed a comparable Senate letter. North Carolina was one of only 2 states that had both of their Senators sign the letter. We are very appreciative of the support of Senator Tillis, Senator Budd, and Congresswoman Ross for their continued support of their constituents living with dementia, their caregivers, and their commitment to seeing a world without Alzheimer’s.
Thanks to our advocates’ voices that were instrumental in gaining support for treatment access.
State Advocacy
The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on North Carolinians to turn the North Carolina State Capitol purple for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. On Wednesday, March 15 advocates from around the state will convene in Raleigh to support the fight against Alzheimer’s for the N.C. State Advocacy Day.
The event – which takes place from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. beginning at the North Carolina Museum of History – will be an opportunity for the public and those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to take action and speak up for the needs and rights of people living with and their families. Attendees will:
- learn about the legislative process; meet face-to-face with elected officials
- meet face-to-face with elected officials
- share their personal story with key decision makers
- and bring awareness to the importance of the Alzheimer’s Association’s public policy priorities
“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America. This is why we unrelentingly advocate for public policies that increase quality of life and support all those affected,” said Katherine L. Lambert, Alzheimer’s Association regional leader for the Carolinas and Georgia. “Representation from our communities across North Carolina is paramount. That’s why we urge as many people as possible to join us for our North Carolina Advocacy Day. By working together, we are making an impact.”
Attendees will hear an overview of the public health crisis of Alzheimer’s in North Carolina, as well as updates from the task forces for the North Carolina BOLD Core Capacity grant and the Dementia Capable NC State Plan. Advocates will be speaking to elected officials and their designated representatives regarding a few key areas:
- Codifying the Dementia-Capable North Carolina State Plan to ensure infrastructure is established to address the growing dementia crisis.
- Inclusion of dementia into relevant existing public health outreach campaigns, particularly in communities at greater risk of developing dementia.
- Incorporation of dementia as a noted medical diagnosis on discharge paperwork to help those navigating the appeals process for an involuntary discharge notice.
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required to ensure an accurate headcount. No prior experience required, but attendees will be asked to participate in a training call prior to the event.
Register for N.C. State Advocacy Day by March 10 at tinyurl.com/ALZNCStateAdvocacyDay2023 or by calling 336.814.3721.
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?
Visit alzimpact.org/volunteer to explore ways to get involved.
ADVOCATES IN ACTION
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 