My heart goes out to all those families who face the daily challenge of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. I am a strong supporter of increased funding for medical research through the National Institutes of Health so that we can find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's. This year the House Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, increased NIH funding by 13%, bringing it to a total of $20.5 billion for FY01.

But more must be done to help those caregivers who have given up so much to care for their loved ones. The financial burdens that usually accompany this illness only make the struggle harder. I have cosponsored a bill, H.R. 4029, the Long Term Care and Alzheimer's Advancement Act, which is aimed at providing more assistance to Alzheimer's patients and their families.

The bill expands the definition of "homebound" so that Medicare will cover home health benefits for patients with Alzheimer's. It would also allow Medicare beneficiaries who suffer from Alzheimer's, or similar diseases, to attend adult day care programs. Finally, the bill provides deductions under the tax code for the cost of certain long term care expenses.

This legislation is meant to help with the financial burdens that often accompany this dreadful disease. We must do more to help families care for their loved ones as they grow older.