Evan Bayh: “I rise today to commend members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Members of the…”

“I rise today to commend members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and Members of the Senate for their support of the National Alzheimer's Project Act, S. 3036. In particular, the committee was helpful in strengthening the National Alzheimer's Plan and the annual reporting requirements to Congress that include the articulation of goals, benchmarks, priorities, recommendations, and tracking outcomes. This legislation is focused on changing the devastating trajectory of Alzheimer's disease for our families and our economy. Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating illness that affects more than 5 million Americans and their families every day. The growing number of Americans expected to be affected by this disease, which is estimated to reach up to 16 million people by 2050, will continue to place an enormous burden on families and loved ones, not to mention the serious fiscal consequences to consider if we do not act now to address this disease. If nothing is done, studies report that Alzheimer's disease will cost the United States $20 trillion over the next 40 years.”