Over the summer and so far this fall, advocates across North Carolina who 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. Here’s an overview of the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent and current public policy efforts impacting our state.
State Advocacy
The North Carolina General Assembly convened on January 11, 2023 and was scheduled to end on August 31, 2023, but continued on into September over a contentious budget battle. Some key highlights of impacting the dementia community during this session included the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina. At long last, N.C. finally is joining the ranks of the states that have expanded Medicaid, a monumental victory for health advocates fighting for those 600,000 people falling in the “coverage gap.” As an Association, we applaud this expansion on behalf of those living with dementia that fell into that gap. According to the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, in North Carolina alone, the Medicaid costs of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s is $1.3 billion. Expansion rollout will begin on December 1, 2023. Some other key highlights of the expansion are an increase in the personal needs allowance for those living in skilled nursing facilities, and Medicaid members having more flexibility to switch providers.
Some large successes for the Alzheimer’s Association was the introduction of House Bill 837 – Make North Carolina More Dementia-Capable. Thanks to strong advocacy across the state, the Alzheimer’s Association led the fight to codify our State Alzheimer’s Plan. This bill passed the House 117-0 and currently sits in second reading in the Senate where it will be picked up in the short session in 2024. Special thanks to Rep. Diane Wheatley (District 43) for her bill sponsorship. We also were successful in creating a bill to bolster North Carolina public health measures for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. House Bill 868 – Alzheimer’s Public Health Ed Improvement Act, sponsored by Rep. Julie Von Haefen (District 36), directed the NC Department of Health and Human Services to include Alzheimer’s related information in all relevant public health campaigns. We look forward to continuing our advocacy in 2024, to build a better future for all North Carolina families dealing with Alzheimer’s.
Federal Advocacy
Current priority update: NAPA Reauthorization Act and Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act
While members of Congress were working in the districts over the past two months, our dedicated volunteer advocates continued to share information about our priorities. During this outreach, advocates have been focused on the bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act (S. 133 / H.R. 619), which would build on the progress made in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia over the last decade by reauthorizing the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) (P.L. 111-375) and the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (S. 134 / H.R. 620), which would continue to prioritize Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the NIH.
Thanks to the current cosponsors of these bills. If your member is not listed below, ask your member of Congress to support the reauthorization of both bipartisan bills by taking action TODAY!
Introducing a new advocacy series “Advocacy After Hours” launching in October!
We are launching a new advocacy event series, Advocacy After Hours, allowing advocates to network while having fun, learning ways to support our public policy efforts & hearing the latest ALZ advocacy news. Join us at one of our three gatherings across North Carolina: Wilmington on Monday, October 23, Fayetteville on Monday, November 6, and in Charlotte on Monday, December 11. Specific location info coming soon!
Learn more about Advocacy After Hours at tinyurl.com/NCAdvocacyAfterHours.
Thank you for your support of the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new test initiative, the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, which will provide access to dementia care management. Learn more about this exciting progress on the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement blog.
Thank you to our advocates for all of the work done over the last three years to educate your members of Congress about this important priority. While we no longer have an open ask for members to sign onto this bill, click here to send a thank you message to your representatives.
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?
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 