Alzheimer's group says research costs now will pay off later.Medical research breakthroughs for Alzheimer's could result in nearly three million fewer Americans with the disease and $149 billion in annual savings for Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care. by 2025, says a report from the Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association, incorportated on April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc., is a non-profit American voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. , with the group calling for an annual $1 billion federal investment in Alzheimer's research. "There is a narrow window of time to reach these breakthroughs in order to achieve these savings," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the Alzheimer's Association and a member of Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management's Editorial Advisory Board. "Because the process that leads to the devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. effects of Alzheimer's begins at least ten years before symptoms appear, we must find ways to delay onset before boomers enter the age of risk. That is why the increased investment in Alzheimer's research must be made now." Besides a nearly 45% drop in the number of Americans projected to have Alzheimer's in 2025, new research could lead to large savings in Medicaid Medicaid, national health insurance program in the United States for low-income persons; established in 1965 with passage of the Social Security Amendments and now run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. spending for nursing home care for people with Alzheimer's, the report says. For example, without medical advances in Alzheimer's care, Medicaid spending is projected to increase from $27 billion in 2015 to $38 billion in 2025 to $118 billion by 2050. With improvements in Alzheimer's prevention and treatment, costs in 2015 would be $17 billion, $15 billion in 2025, and $48 billion in 2050. Similar savings are predicted for Medicare Medicare, national health insurance program in the United States for persons aged 65 and over and the disabled. It was established in 1965 with passage of the Social Security Amendments and is now run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. . To read the report, visit www.alz.org/Resources/FactSheets/Lewin_FullReportl.pdf. |
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