Advocates at Capitol Hill Briefing Urge Congress to Pass the ASAP Act
Updated: 2 days ago
On September 24th, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease brought patient advocates, caregivers, and health policy leaders to Capitol Hill to make the case for the bipartisan Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act. With more than 60 attendees – including staff from 24 Congressional offices – the event made one thing clear: the science is ready, and policy needs to catch up.
Right now, Medicare does not have a clear coverage pathway for FDA-approved blood-based screening tools for Alzheimer's disease. The ASAP Act would fix that, opening the door for millions of older Americans to access simple, affordable blood tests that can detect signs of Alzheimer's before symptoms appear. Earlier detection means earlier access to treatment, more time to plan, and a better chance at meaningful intervention.
PFCD's Chair Ken Thorpe moderated the discussion, which featured voices from across the Alzheimer's advocacy community: Robert Egge of the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, Marvell Adams Jr. of the Caregiver Action Network, and Burton Eller of the National Grange.
Together, they painted a compelling picture of why this legislation matters — and why it can't wait.
Check out the highlights
Robert Egge, President of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, underscored just how powerful the bipartisan support for this legislation is. He cited polling showing overwhelming public support for Congressional action on the ASAP Act. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans support Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s blood tests, a finding that holds firm across party lines.
Burton Eller, Government Affairs Director of the National Grange, brought the perspective of rural America, and of a neighbor who watched his family be caught completely off guard by a loved one's diagnosis. He also spoke directly to the regulatory maze that delays patients from getting access to new tools and challenged Congress to help move the process faster.
Marvell Adams Jr. focused on what earlier detection means for caregivers and how delayed diagnosis doesn’t just affect patients; it results in more difficult and more costly interventions down the road.
Congress, Pass the ASAP Act, ASAP
The science of Alzheimer’s blood testing is advancing rapidly.
But innovation only matters if patients can access it. Without a clear Medicare coverage pathway, the gap between what science can offer and what patients can readily access will keep growing. For people living with Alzheimer's, time is not a luxury.
As Ken Thorpe put it in his closing remarks: "It's time to buckle up and find a way for both chambers to get this passed and get this signed."
Watch the full discussion here