{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E38AD9A2-5DB8-4BF3-861C-2AAE97EBF5E5", "Sens. Warner, Collins, Cortez Masto, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Alzheimer\u2019s Screening", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "VA", "Mark R. Warner", "W000805", "www.warner.senate.gov", "warner", "https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan Alzheimer\u2019s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, a bill that 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. The 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-FL-16) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cMy mother battled Alzheimer\u2019s for a decade before her passing, and I saw firsthand just how devastating this disease is,\u201d said Sen. Warner, co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer\u2019s Disease. \u201cBy expanding access to early detection testing, this legislation would help thousands of patients and families in Virginia be pro-active with their care and treatment of Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, affecting more than seven million Americans, including nearly 29,000 people in Maine. Early diagnosis is essential, yet too many patients continue to go undiagnosed until their symptoms become severe,\u201d said Sen. Collins, co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer\u2019s Disease. \u201cOur bipartisan ASAP Act would require Medicare to cover FDA-approved blood tests for Alzheimer\u2019s, expanding access to earlier testing, and giving patients and their families more time to plan, seek support, and pursue the best options for care for their loved ones.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy grandmother lived with Alzheimer\u2019s disease for many years, so I know the pain and distress this illness can cause to patients and loved ones alike,\u201d said Sen. Cortez Masto. \u201cThe sooner this disease is detected, the sooner patients and their families can seek treatment and make plans for the future. I\u2019ll never stop working across the aisle to ensure Nevada\u2019s seniors have access to the health care they need.\u201d\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,\u201d said Sen. Capito.\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 said Robert Egge, chief public policy officer of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association and president of the Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement. \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\nSen. Warner has been a longtime leader of legislative efforts to advance Alzheimer\u2019s research, prevention, treatment, and care. As co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, he has introduced and passed the bipartisan National Alzheimer\u2019s Project Act (NAPA) and the Alzheimer\u2019s Accountability and Investment Act, as well as urged President Trump for increased funding for Alzheimer\u2019s research.\n\nThe complete text of the legislation can be read here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "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://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E38AD9A2-5DB8-4BF3-861C-2AAE97EBF5E5"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.938883051276207, "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"}