Update on the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA)

Congress is now back at work on Capitol Hill after a few weeks in the district. We’ve heard stories from many advocates who met with their elected officials back home, and we know you are making a difference. We wanted to give you a brief update on where we are with the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA)(S. 3036/H.R. 4689).

Thanks to the efforts of Alzheimer’s Association advocates, NAPA continues to gain momentum in Congress. In only a few short weeks, we have secured nearly 50 bill cosponsors! Most of the cosponsors on the bill are a direct result of the highly successful 2010 Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer’s Action Summit Congressional meetings, thousands of emails sent in support of the Summit activities, and your strong follow-up efforts. Keep up with the latest information about NAPA, including updated cosponsor lists, by visiting http://www.alz.org/NAPA.

As you know, NAPA calls for a National Alzheimer’s Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for creating a national plan to overcome Alzheimer’s. The bill will coordinate and enhance the federal government’s efforts on Alzheimer’s research, care, institutional services, and home- and community-based programs.

Tell us more about your advocacy efforts in support of NAPA and the Alzheimer’s Association Federal Priorities! If you met with your Senators or Representative and haven’t told us how it went, please share your story with us by posting here. Are you struggling to get a ‘yes’ from one of your members of Congress? Did a particular message work for you? Start a dialogue and learn from your community. Please share your advocacy stories -- we want to hear from you.

Mary Richards
Managing Director, Federal Affairs