Bill Overview
Title: Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act
Description: This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to annually submit, beginning in FY2024, an estimate of its budget and personnel needs for carrying out initiatives pursuant to the National Alzheimer's Project. This project supports coordination of federal planning, research, and other efforts to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Sponsors: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Target Audience
Population: People living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Estimated Size: 6200000
- The National Alzheimer's Project focuses on coordinating efforts related to Alzheimer's disease and dementias.
- Alzheimer's disease primarily affects older adults, most commonly those aged 65 and older.
- Worldwide, approximately 55 million people are living with dementia, with 60-70% of cases being Alzheimer's.
- As population aging continues, the number of Alzheimer's and other dementia cases is expected to rise.
- The legislation also affects caregivers and family members who care for individuals with Alzheimer's.
- Investments in research can impact future patients by advancing treatments or possible prevention methods.
Reasoning
- The policy targets Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers, so primarily older adults and middle-aged family caregivers will be affected.
- The societal and personal cost of Alzheimer's is significant, thus the population's reactions will focus on care, quality of life, and financial implications.
- Given the policy's focus on research, its immediate impact on individuals will be limited, while long-term benefits may include improved treatment options.
- The relative commonness score considers how prevalent these scenarios are in terms of the distribution of Alzheimer's in society.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Naperville, IL)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy leads to better treatment options.
- Research is the key to handling this disease effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Tech sales representative (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tough balancing work and care; more support is needed.
- Hope this policy helps with funding for caregivers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 82 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle to remember my grandchildren's names.
- I feel afraid and dependent, but want to contribute to a solution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 1 |
Social worker (Portland, OR)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting mental health is crucial as well as medical care.
- I see the financial strain on families combating Alzheimer's firsthand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Graduate student (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's inspiring to see investments made in areas that could impact future research disclosures.
- Policies like this inspire more informed academic research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired doctor (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is instrumental for future generations, though current benefits are minimal.
- Real progress can be made through coordinated research efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Care facility manager (Columbus, OH)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation could lead to better resources and training for my staff.
- I expect incremental improvements as research translates into practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Small business owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may ease some financial burdens in the long run.
- I hope it accelerates better management practices and drug development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Research scientist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Breakthroughs take time but resources are critical.
- Enhanced research funding can improve future treatment landscapes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
History professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My family has a history of Alzheimer's, so I'm vigilant.
- This policy offers hope but the effects aren't immediate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $110000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $130000000)
Year 2: $115000000 (Low: $95000000, High: $135000000)
Year 3: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $140000000)
Year 5: $130000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $150000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $170000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $220000000)
Key Considerations
- Funding will need to be allocated consistently to maintain progress and achieve breakthroughs.
- Strong coordination among federal agencies, international bodies, and private sectors is essential.
- Potential ethical concerns regarding research initiatives and their applications must be addressed.
- Measuring progress and impact on Alzheimer's treatment and prevention will require robust data collection.