Congressman Brett Guthrie | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Brett Guthrie | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) have joined forces with their House colleagues to re-introduce the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act. The bill, which is set to expire this year, aims to provide crucial support for Alzheimer's research, early screening and detection, and educational resources for patients and their families.
In a statement, Congressman Guthrie highlighted the importance of the BOLD Act in addressing the impact of Alzheimer's and related dementias on families. He emphasized the need for more work to be done and urged his colleagues to support the legislation.
"Alzheimer’s and related dementias affect nearly every family and it is clear that more work needs to be done. The BOLD Act will reauthorize programming to help drive breakthrough research, early screening and detection, as well as provide educational resources to patients and their families. I am proud to be leading the reauthorization effort alongside Congressman Tonko and I encourage my colleagues to support this crucial legislation," said Congressman Guthrie.
Congressman Tonko, who has been a strong advocate for supporting those living with Alzheimer's, expressed his commitment to taking action through the legislation. He emphasized the impact the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act can have on families across the country.
“Ever since my first days in Congress, I’ve pushed for strong action to support those living with Alzheimer’s by driving public health research, early detection infrastructure, and support for caregivers. Our legislation takes that needed action to help families across the country dealing with Alzheimer’s. I’m proud to join my colleagues to support the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act and make a real difference in the lives of the millions of Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the millions more who love and care for them," said Congressman Tonko.
The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act was first passed into law in 2018 and was signed by President Trump in 2019. It created a public health infrastructure to support prevention, treatment, and care for patients with Alzheimer's and related neurological diseases.
The reauthorization act aims to continue building an Alzheimer's and related dementias network by establishing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Public Health Centers of Excellence. It also includes cooperative agreements with public health departments to develop and carry out Alzheimer's interventions. These efforts will focus on increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk, and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations of people living with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Additionally, the bill will require robust data analysis and reporting through cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This will ensure timely analysis and dissemination of data on Alzheimer's, cognitive decline, caregiving, and health disparities to the public.
The re-introduction of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act highlights the ongoing commitment of Congressman Guthrie, Congressman Tonko, and their colleagues to address the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease. The legislation aims to drive progress in research, early detection, and support for caregivers, ultimately making a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
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