{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-case-you-missed-it-capito-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-access-to-alzheimers-screening", "In Case You Missed It: Capito, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Alzheimer\u2019s Screening", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "WV", "Shelley Moore Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", "capito", "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently joined U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) in introducing the bipartisan Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act. The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a pathway to cover blood biomarker tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the early detection of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\n\nThe FDA approved the first blood-based biomarker test for use by primary care physicians earlier this year, but physicians could be hesitant to use the tests if they are not reimbursed by CMS. U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s is a disease that has touched so many West Virginia families, including my own. While we are making breakthroughs in research and treatment, early screening and detection remain essential in improving outcomes and getting us closer to ending this devastating disease. That is why I am proud to help introduce the Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, legislation that ensures patients have access to the early testing they need,\u201dSenator Capito said.\n\nSpecifically, the ASAP Act would:\n\nCreate the authority for CMS to cover FDA-approved blood-based dementia screening tests; and\n\nMaintain CMS\u2019 authority to use an evidence-based process to determine coverage parameters for these new tests.\n\nThe ASAP Act has been endorsed by the Alzheimer\u2019s Association.\n\n\u201cNew blood tests that can detect Alzheimer\u2019s are coming soon. We need legislative action now so people living with the disease can access them without delay,\u201d Robert Egge, chief public policy officer of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association and president of the Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement, said. \u201cThe ASAP Act makes that possible, removing barriers and opening the door to earlier care and better outcomes. We're grateful for the longstanding bipartisan commitment of these congressional champions and their leadership on this landmark legislation. Together, we can make this bipartisan bill deliver for the Alzheimer\u2019s community.\u201d\n\nTo read the bill text, click here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "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://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-case-you-missed-it-capito-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-access-to-alzheimers-screening"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5916479751467705, "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"}