{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-backed-change-act-improve-early-alzheimers-detection-advances-out", "Bilirakis-Backed CHANGE Act to Improve Early Alzheimer\u2019s Detection Advances Out of Committee", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) applauded the House Ways and Means Committee\u2019s unanimous advancement of bipartisan legislation containing provisions of the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer\u2019s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, which Bilirakis introduced with Representatives Linda T. S\u00e1nchez (D-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Doris Matsui (D-CA). The CHANGE Act is designed to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias by directing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify cognitive impairment detection tools that can help clinicians more effectively detect cognitive decline and connect patients with appropriate follow-up care. Earlier this week, the CHANGE Act was amended into H.R. 6130, the bipartisan Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which the Ways and Means Committee approved by a unanimous 40-0 vote. The broader package seeks to improve early detection and treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. More than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and for many patients, a diagnosis comes only after the disease has already taken a significant toll. Advances in testing and treatment have increased the importance of identifying Alzheimer\u2019s and related dementias at earlier stages.\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s is a devastating disease that has touched my family personally, so I understand the tremendous toll it takes not only on patients, but also on the loved ones who care for them,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis. \u201cAs promising new treatments continue to emerge, early detection and diagnosis are more important than ever. The bipartisan CHANGE Act will help ensure patients and their doctors have better tools to identify cognitive decline earlier, when interventions may have the greatest impact. I am pleased to see this important legislation advance out of Committee as part of a broader package, bringing us another step closer to improving care, preserving quality of life, and ultimately finding a cure for this terrible disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s touches millions of families, and identifying the disease early can make a meaningful difference for patients and their loved ones,\u201d said Congresswoman Matsui. \u201cThe CHANGE Act brings us closer to giving healthcare providers the tools to recognize the warning signs sooner and connect families with the care and support they need. I\u2019m proud this bipartisan legislation is moving forward so more families can have more time, better care, and greater hope.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is deeply personal for me. I lost both of my parents to Alzheimer\u2019s, and I know firsthand how much earlier detection could have meant for our family,\u201d said Congresswoman S\u00e1nchez. \u201cAdvancing this bill out of committee brings us one step closer to giving other families that chance. I\u2019m grateful to my Ways and Means colleagues for passing our bipartisan bill and will keep fighting to get it signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s impacts millions of Americans, and we must do everything we can to support the search for a cure. This bipartisan bill provides help to patients and clinicians through expanded early detection support and improved data collection,\u201d said Congressman LaHood. \u201cThe CHANGE Act, coupled with the ASAP Act, will strengthen existing tools to help streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.\u201d\n\nThe CHANGE Act is supported by a broad coalition of patient, provider and aging organizations, including UsAgainstAlzheimer\u2019s, the American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s Foundation of America, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer\u2019s and USAging.\n\nSenators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Mark Warner (D-VA) have also introduced companion legislation in the Senate.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-backed-change-act-improve-early-alzheimers-detection-advances-out"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8632779829204082, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}