Op Ed: Congress Must Act Now to Help Georgia Families Facing Alzheimer’s

By State Representative Teddy Reese, House District 140

Alzheimer's disease is one of the defining public health challenges of our generation. It robs millions of Americans of their memory, independence, and precious time while imposing profound emotional and financial strain on families. Georgia is already feeling the impact, with Dougherty County reporting the seventh highest prevalence rate in the nation among counties with at least 10,000 residents age 65 and older. Muscogee, Chattahoochee, and Stewart Counties also rank among Georgia’s highest prevalence areas, reflecting especially high rates in southwest and west central parts of the state where access to care is often limited. This is a sobering reminder that the crisis is already deeply rooted in communities across Georgia.

If current trends continue, the challenge will intensify. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that without meaningful advances in prevention and treatment, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s could nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060. At the same time, science is rapidly advancing, including blood-based tests that can detect biological signs of the disease earlier than ever before and FDA-approved therapies that can slow progression for eligible patients. Earlier diagnosis gives clinicians more opportunity to intervene, gives families more time to plan, and increases the likelihood that patients benefit from treatment, but the challenge is that public policy has not kept pace with medical innovation.

A nationwide strategy to address Alzheimer’s disease should focus on accelerating American innovation by reducing barriers to research, increasing federal investment in prevention and lifestyle-based interventions, and advancing efforts to develop effective treatments and a cure. With more than 9 in 10 Americans supporting federal action to promote preventive measures
such as healthier eating, improved sleep, and regular exercise, there is strong public backing for proactive steps that can reduce risk and improve long-term brain health. It should also prioritize timely and accurate diagnosis so individuals and families can make informed decisions earlier, improve care planning, and potentially save the federal government billions of dollars in
healthcare costs, a goal supported by more than 80% of voters who see it as a compelling reason for stronger action.

Congress should also pass the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which is supported by 92% of voters nationwide. This legislation would create a Medicare coverage pathway for FDA-approved blood-based screening tests, enabling earlier detection before symptoms become severe. For Georgians, earlier diagnosis improves care planning, extends quality of life, and helps avoid crisis-driven decisions.

In addition, Congress should direct Medicare to revisit its 2022 national coverage determination and establish a clear, predictable pathway for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s therapies, similar to other approved drug classes. Families should not face unnecessary bureaucratic barriers when
treatments exist that can preserve independence longer. Together, these reforms could delay institutional care and ease financial strain on both families and taxpayers, and they enjoy broad bipartisan support.

At the federal level, Congress should also support passage of the AADAPT Act to expand virtual continuing education for primary care providers and the Convenient Care for Caregivers Act to support and educate family caregivers. It should further advance the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act and the Rural Hospital Support Act to strengthen rural health systems and improve access to diagnostics and care.

Georgia also has a critical role to play. The state should strengthen its healthcare workforce, expand telehealth access, and support rural providers so patients can be evaluated closer to home. Too many Georgians still wait months for a specialist or travel long distances for diagnosis and basic care.

These are practical, bipartisan solutions grounded in a simple reality: early detection only matters if patients can access treatment and support afterward. Investing in earlier diagnosis, modern therapies, and stronger healthcare infrastructure is both compassionate and fiscally responsible. Alzheimer’s does not distinguish between Republicans and Democrats, urban and rural communities, or north and south Georgia; it affects every corner of the state. As science advances, Georgia’s families cannot afford to wait, which is why policymakers in both Atlanta and Washington must act now to ensure policy keeps pace with progress.