Only two months into 2024 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. Here’s an overview of the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent and current public policy efforts impacting our state.
State Advocacy
North Carolina is enjoying a busy lead up to the 2024 NC Legislative Session. The short legislative session will commence on April 24, 2024 and is expected to run through July 2024. Several policies are on the agenda this year that should greatly benefit families with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. Carrying over from the last year’s long legislative session, NC House Bill 837 which strengthens the state’s already existing state Alzheimer’s plan, Dementia Capable North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Addressing Alzheimer’s Disease and all Other Related Dementias. The bill would codify the plan into general statute, and require the North Carolina plan be updated every four years and presented back to the General Assembly for review of progress. The bill also keeps the very necessary State Dementia Services Coordinator position in force as long as the state plan exists. State advocates recently met with key stakeholders and the original bill sponsors, including Rep. Diane Wheatley (NC District 43) to discuss seeing H837 through the Senate and eventually to the Governor’s desk where it can be signed into law.
The Alzheimer’s Association is also looking for additional funding for North Carolina’s only Alzheimer’s and dementia specific respite plan, Project CARE (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty). After many meetings with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Project CARE director, the Association is requesting an additional $900,000 in funding to increase the current level to $2M annually. This necessary step would allow for two additional employees in rural areas to provide necessary services, and increase the amount of grants available by an additional 323 slots.
We at the Association also are urging the NC DHHS to include critically needed training for Adult Protective Services workers and court appointed guardians for those with Alzheimer’s, and adjust their written policies to reflect the necessary training.
We look forward to the legislative short session, and we encourage advocates and constituents to participate in our annual State Advocacy Day in Raleigh on May 7, 2024. During the day we will have opportunities to visit all 170 legislators, share advocate connections to the disease, and drive the above policies forward. Please help us fight for families with Alzheimer’s and dementia this year!
Federal Advocacy
This year, federal Alzheimer’s advocates have an exciting opportunity to continue building relationships with their members of Congress, sharing their personal stories, and asking for support for important Alzheimer’s priorities, including the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
Over the last few weeks, advocates have met with Congressional district offices across the state to discuss the importance & urgency of passing the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act. These bills would continue to support those living with Alzheimer’s by furthering the progress we’ve made in increasing Alzheimer’s research funding and supporting caregivers.
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.
We invite you to use your voice & join our advocates in asking your representatives to support these priorities by clicking here.
This month, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act was introduced to both chambers of Congress. The bipartisan legislation would renew and strengthen our nation’s public health response to Alzheimer’s for another five years. By providing state, local, and tribal public health officials with funding and resources, Congress can help continue to increase early detection and diagnosis, reduce risk, support the needs of caregivers, and address health disparities—all of which impact those living with the disease, and their millions of unpaid caregivers.
Join us in urging your representatives to cosponsor the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
In March, we will continue our important advocacy work with North Carolina Advocacy Engagement Week. Join advocates March 10 – 16 in taking action to help advance our legislative priorities.
To learn more about Advocacy Engagement Week, visit tinyurl.com/2024NCEngagementWeek.
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 