{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-improving-hope-for-alzheimers-act", "Menendez Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Improving HOPE for Alzheimers ActRead More", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Robert Menendez", "M000639", "www.menendez.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON,\r\nD.C. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez applauded passage of the bipartisan Improving HOPE (Health, Outcomes,\r\nPlanning, and Education) for Alzheimer's Act as part of the year-end\r\ngovernment funding and COVID-19 bill. While the\r\nCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in November 2016 that\r\nMedicare would begin covering new care plans in 2017, effectively implementing\r\nthe HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, this legislation\r\nrequires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to\r\nmake sure health care providers are aware of this important benefit and to report back on rates\r\nof utilization and barriers to access. The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed\r\nMarkey (D-Mass.) and Shelley MooreCapito(R-W.V.) I know how devastating it can be, not only for\r\nour loved ones struggling with Alzheimer's  like my mother did -- but for\r\nfamilies trying to understand how to provide the best care possible, said\r\nSen. Menendez. Although we fought to provide patients and their\r\ncaregivers important services  like help in understanding a diagnosis,\r\navailable treatments, and ways to manage the challenges ahead -- far too many\r\nseniors and their doctors have no idea the benefit is available. I'm thrilled\r\nto see our bill enacted so we can change that and ensure patients get the\r\nresources they need.Care plans are an important tool to ensure\r\nthat those living with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones who help care\r\nfor them every day have the support they need to cope with this devastating\r\ndisease,said Senator\r\nStabenow.The Improving HOPE\r\nfor Alzheimer's Act will help make sure patients, their families, and their\r\nhealth care providers know about and can take advantage of the available\r\nresources.\"It is imperative that those living with\r\nAlzheimer's disease and their families receive the resources they need,\r\nincluding information about treatment options and what medical and community\r\nservices are available, said Senator Collins. Fortunately, following\r\nour advocacy, CMS implemented a new rule in 2018 that allows Medicare\r\nbeneficiaries to receive a care planning session. Our legislation will expand\r\naccess to this service by increasing awareness of this policy change among\r\nphysicians. As the Co-Chair of the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force, I will\r\ncontinue to support those living with Alzheimer's disease and their\r\ncaregivers.While we work towards the goal of finding a\r\ncure for Alzheimer's by 2025, we must also ensure seniors with Alzheimer's get\r\nthe best care possible. Developing care plans that assist families, caregivers,\r\nand seniors understand diagnosis and available treatments helps make that\r\nhappen. Enacting the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will mean more seniors\r\nwill benefit for these plans. This is an important step forward for those\r\nsuffering from Alzheimer's, said Senator Markey.Delivering accessible care to those struggling\r\nwith Alzheimer's is crucial to the foundation of our families and gives hope to\r\nour loved ones. Now that certain care plans are offered, we must make sure this\r\ninformation is properly relayed to eligible families. The HOPE for Alzheimer's\r\nAct successfully strengthens our outreach strategy and makes resources\r\navailable to those who need it most. I'm proud to have been part of this movement\r\nsince 2015 and that our legislation was included in the year-end package, said\r\nSenator Capito. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth\r\nleading cause of death in the United States, and more than 16 million Americans\r\nprovide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's. The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act\r\nrequires Medicare to pay for an individual care plan for newly diagnosed\r\nAlzheimer's patients. This benefit encourages doctors to give a clear diagnosis\r\nto patients with Alzheimer's disease, including information about treatment\r\noptions and what medical and community services are available. In 2017, less than one percent of seniors\r\nliving with Alzheimer's disease received the care planning benefit created by\r\nthe HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's Act requires\r\nHHS to conduct outreach to health care practitioners about comprehensive\r\nAlzheimer's disease care planning services, including education initiatives,\r\nand materials on appropriate diagnostic evaluations and explanations of the\r\nrequirements for eligibility. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-improving-hope-for-alzheimers-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.5597899220883846, "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"}