When Ronald Reagan announced his Alzheimer's diagnosis to the nation, he helped bring a devastating disease out of the shadows. Thirty years later, the science has advanced — but the federal policies governing access to that science haven't kept up. Writing in the Carolina Journal, Rich Casale argues that North Carolina families are paying the price. Read the full piece here →
From the Carolina Journal, by Rich Casale:
"Breakthroughs in early detection and treatment have given doctors new tools to diagnose Alzheimer's sooner and potentially slow its progression. But outdated policies, especially within Medicare, prevent many seniors from accessing these innovations."
"If the FDA has cleared a diagnostic test or approved a treatment, patients and their doctors — not government bureaucrats or insurance middlemen — should decide whether it's right for them. Yet today, many North Carolina seniors face delays, denials, or steep out-of-pocket costs when trying to access care their physicians recommend."
"Early diagnosis is critical. When Alzheimer's is detected sooner, families have more time to plan, more opportunities to pursue treatment, and more precious moments together."
"Conservatives have long believed in cutting red tape, empowering doctors and patients, and unleashing innovation. Applying those principles to Alzheimer's policy means eliminating unnecessary coverage barriers, expanding access to new diagnostics and therapies, and ensuring that Medicare keeps pace with scientific advancements."
"President Reagan once wrote that Alzheimer's would take him into 'the sunset of life.' Today, millions of families are walking that same difficult path. But thanks to advances in science, we now have the opportunity to change that trajectory if policymakers are willing to act."
Rich Casale's piece in the Carolina Journal is a clear-eyed call for North Carolina's congressional delegation to act — and a reminder that the tools to fight Alzheimer's exist, if Washington will simply get out of the way. Read the full commentary here.
