Washington, D.C. —  Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4) held a press conference and meeting today with the New Jersey Alzheimer’s Association to discuss advocacy and legislative strategy for fighting Alzheimer’s Disease. The Association praised Smith’s new landmark legislation, the “Long Term Care and Alzheimer’s Disease Advancement Act,” as a “significant step towards providing suitable, long-term care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.”
    
“I am deeply moved by the stories of hardship, sacrifice and loss that I have heard from these courageous individuals today,” said Smith, who founded and serves as Co-Chairman of the Bi-partisan Alzheimer’s Congressional Task Force. “Alzheimer’s is a horrific disease that must be stopped. I believe it is one of our nation’s most important public health issues,” added Smith.

Smith heard heart wrenching stories from Care-givers who have lost loved one’s to Alzheimer’s Disease. Manchester native Andy Yurcisim, a World War II hero who survived D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, said that the most frightening moment of his life “occurred when he found out his wife had Alzheimer’s Disease.” John Peters, of Lakehurst, emphasized the importance of support for Care-givers. “I became so worn down taking care of my wife, that I had a heart attack,” said Peters. “Support for care-giver’s may keep them out of the hospital.” 

Smith’s  ‘Long Term Care and Alzheimer’s Disease Advancement Act” will do the following:

• Create Alzheimer’s Clinical Research and Training Awards - provide $12.5 million over five years to establish a physician-scientist program within the National Institute of Aging to take cutting-edge scientific knowledge on Alzheimer’s disease and translate it into clinical practice. Grants would be directed to promising clinicians through awards for research, study and practice at centers of excellence in Alzheimer’s research and treatment.
• Ensuring the Adequacy of Medicare Reimbursement for Alzheimer’s Patients - require a study on the adequacy of medicare reimbursement rates for those who diagnose, treat and manage Alzheimer’s disease patients. Many clinicians who treat Alzheimer’s patients have expressed concerns that Medicare reimbursement policy may be financially penalizing those who take the time to properly manage and educate their patients and care-givers. If these concerns prove valid, Congress could then take remedial steps to ensure that care delivery for Alzheimer’s patients is appropriate.
•  Preserve Access to Home Health Care for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients - adjusts Medicare laws so that Alzheimer’s patients are free to enroll in adult day care programs without losing access to home health care benefits for which they are otherwise eligible. Under the Clinton-Gore Administration’s Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), many fiscal intermediaries are interpreting the participation in adult day care programs as not meeting the Medicare definition of “homebound.” As a result, patients who attend these programs can lose access to critically needed home health services. This legislation allows patients to participate in these helpful programs without disturbing their Medicare services.
• Provide Vital Support for Care-givers - provides a $3,000 tax credit for the forgotten victims - the care-givers who sacrifice to care for their loved one’s afflicted with Alzheimer’s. This legislation also provides a 100% above the line tax deduction for long term care insurance.

“This legislation addresses some of the toughest challenges facing not only Alzheimer’s patients, but their care-givers and the medical community as well,” said Smith. “Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is a national priority,” added Smith.
   
Congressman Chris Smith has been a leading advocate for increased Alzheimer’s Disease awareness since his election to Congress. Just recently, Smith urged the president to increase funding for Alzheimer’s disease research to $500 million, up from the present $400 million level, to aid the fight and find a cure.