WASHINGTON — On Capitol Hill, lawmakers have advanced legislation to support families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green and chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, is pushing for the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act. 

The subcommittee voted unanimously Tuesday to send the measure to the full committee. The goal of the law is to help public health departments with interventions, risk reduction and early detection.

In Kentucky, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates the number of people 65 and older with the disease will rise to 86,000 next year, an increase of nearly 15% since 2020.

Guthrie, whose family has been affected by Alzheimer’s, said the legislation supports programs to research the disease and provide services and educational resources for caregivers.

“The more we know about the disease, the sooner we will be able to appropriately treat it, giving patients more precious time with their loved ones and easing the significant caregiver burdens ... associated with Alzheimer's and related dementias," Guthrie said. 

Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-Calif., said it wasn't a Democrat or Republican issue and shared her mother is living with Alzheimer's. 

“It does take a toll," she said. "I can attest to that myself, so I am proud to support this bill and efforts that we continue to support caregivers across this country.”

After the vote, Mackenzie Wallace, public policy director for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky & Southern Indiana, applauded Guthrie as a “champion” of the issue, for putting forward “legislation that is focused on benefiting Kentuckians, and Americans, impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”

The legislation would set aside $33 million a year for fiscal years 2025-2029, and it could come before the full committee as soon as next week.