Even though he is an advocate for federal spending restraint and deficit reduction, U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader says that a little more spending on programs aimed at Alzheimer's disease will save a lot more in the future.

In fact, Schrader said at a town hall meeting Thursday with representatives of the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Network of Oregon, "I'm more afraid of Alzheimer's than of cancer."

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias result in loss of brain functions,
Schrader specified later that his mother died of cancer, and his father of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nevertheless, he said, he could detect signs of dementia as his father's physical condition worsened.

"I could see his mind being taken away," he said at the meeting at Salem Hospital. "It was unnerving for a man who had been in control of everything his whole life to lose it. It was worse than any physical disability could hurt him."

Schrader said his family could afford some measures of comfort for his father, but many families cannot.

Schrader talked about highlights of the first National Alzheimer's Plan, released by the Department of Health and Human Services on May 15. It was an outgrowth of the National Alzheimer's Project Act passed by Congress in 2010 and signed by President Barack Obama on Jan. 4, 2011.

Obama proposed in his 2013 budget to add $100 million more for the plan, $80 million of it for research, and smaller additions for public awareness ($4.2 million), education of health care providers ($4 million), and support for caregivers ($10.5 million).

The 2013 budget, however, remains in limbo; federal agencies are operating on a continuing resolution, based on the previous year's budget levels, through March.

Schrader said the delay may be a good thing, because it allows time for advocates of greater spending to build their case and support among members in 2013.

Schrader leads the House members from Oregon, and Sen. Ron Wyden is Oregon's lead senator, on the plan — although Schrader said there is no partisan disagreement within the delegation on it

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