Senator Debbie Stabenow  Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Ed Markey announce the inclusion of the HOPE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that her bipartisan HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act was passed out of committee as part of the Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations bill.  The Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act would require Medicare to pay for a care planning session to provideAlzheimer’s patients and their families an early assessment, information about the disease and possible treatment options.  Senator Stabenow was joined in announcing the bill’s passage by HOPE Act co-sponsors Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Ed Markey (D-MA). 

"Early detection, a documented diagnosis and access to care planning services are key to helping ensure better outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, said Senator Markey.  “The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act gives patients exactly that, hope - for a diagnosis that will help them get connected to critical resources and manage other chronic conditions they are likely to face. It means patients, caregivers and families can learn what treatments are available and plan for the challenges that lie ahead. I thank Senators Stabenow, Collins and Capito for their partnership on this legislation and their continued efforts to help find a cure to this devastating disease." 

“Today’s vote is a positive step forward for the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act and for those families affected by this heartbreaking disease,” said Senator Stabenow.  “This bill will encourage doctors to detect Alzheimer’s earlier and ensure patients and families are better equipped to cope with the disease.  I thank the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for including this important legislation, and will continue to work for passage of this bill, which is so important to families affected by this terrible disease.”

"Having recently experienced the challenges of caring for parents with Alzheimer’s, I understand the difficulties that caregivers and family members face,” said Senator Capito. We need to do more to improve the diagnosis of this disease and educate Americans about treatment options. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am thrilled that The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act was included in the Labor-HHS bill that passed out of the subcommittee with bipartisan support today.” 

The bill creates a new care-management planning session for newly diagnosed Alzheimer's patients under Medicare. This new benefit would encourage doctors to give a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available.