North Carolina Legislative Update – March 2025

North Carolina advocates have kicked off 2025 with an array of advocacy efforts to advance Alzheimer’s policy at the state and federal levels. The tireless efforts of ALZ advocates across North Carolina have led to significant movement in our legislative priorities. Notable activities include our 2025 Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, 14 meetings with Congressional District Offices, and robust online advocacy engagement. Here’s an overview of the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent and current public policy efforts impacting our state.

State Advocacy

On February 11, over 65 advocates from across North Carolina gathered in Raleigh for our NC Alzheimer’s 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 First Baptist Church of Raleigh for an update on state policy needs and to hear about the need to ensure access to early diagnosis through biomarker testing coverage. 

From there, advocates proceeded to the North Carolina legislative complex to urge state legislators to continue to sponsor a bill ensuring access to biomarker testing. 

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. A direct result of Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, House Bill 120 was introduced to increase Project C.A.R.E. funding to more than $2 million annually. This bill will be instrumental in raising awareness on caregiver support. Urge your legislators to support this legislation by sending them a message. 

Federal Advocacy

This year, federal Alzheimer’s advocates have an exciting opportunity to start or continue building relationships with their members of Congress, sharing their personal stories, and asking for support for important Alzheimer’s priorities, including the Credit for Caring Act and Alzheimer’s research funding at the NIH. 

Over the last few weeks, advocates have met with Congressional district offices across the state to discuss the importance and urgency of continuing our nation’s commitment to Alzheimer’s research by requesting that Congress increase research funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $318 million in FY25 and provide $35 million to continue funding the implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 Join our advocates by asking your members of Congress to support Alzheimer’s research funding. 

This month, the Credit for Caring Act was introduced to both chambers of Congress. The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act would create a new, non-refundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 per year for eligible family caregivers to help address the significant financial impact of caregiving and reduce the need for caregivers to sacrifice basic needs like food and personal care. This critical bill would help dedicated family caregivers offset the cost of some caregiving expenses that support them and their loved ones, such as respite care, transportation, and lost wages.

Join us in urging your representatives to cosponsor the Credit for Caring Act.

In April, we will continue our important advocacy work with North Carolina Advocacy Engagement Week. Join advocates April 13 – 19 in taking action to help advance our legislative priorities. Text NCADVOCATE to 1.888.438.0144 to receive ways to use your voice during Advocacy Engagement Week. 

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.

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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.