Relief for Early On-Set Alzheimer's Disease

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my bill, the BRIDGE for Young Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act.

Right now, Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's after age 65 receive immediate Medicare coverage, but those diagnosed before 65, despite facing the same devastating disease, are forced to wait nearly 29 months for the exact same care.

For the 200,000 Americans living with young-onset Alzheimer's, that delay is devastating.

The BRIDGE for YOAD Act fixes this gap by eliminating the Medicare waiting period for those with young-onset Alzheimer's. Early access to care matters. This disease progresses very quickly. Many patients lose the ability to work or support themselves long before coverage kicks in, while families are left to shoulder an additional $20,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs.

Congress has acted before for rapidly progressing diseases like ALS. We should do the same here. As one of my constituents put it, this bill puts health and dignity first.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the BRIDGE for YOAD Act.

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