We’re at an important moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia. With new treatments emerging and unprecedented progress in research, early detection has never been more critical. That urgency was front and center at a recent Punchbowl News Pop-Up Conversation sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association in Washington, D.C., where longtime congressional champion Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) highlighted the need for timely diagnosis and continued investment in Alzheimer’s research.

The discussion underscored this pivotal moment for Alzheimer’s and other dementia — one defined by hope and progress. Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM CEO, captured that optimism during the event. “Right now is a very hopeful time within the Alzheimer's journey,” said Pike. “There is more progress than ever before, and that momentum is going to carry us forward in a new era of care and treatment.”

That momentum has recently been driving bipartisan action in Congress through the introduction of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, a groundbreaking bill that would create a pathway for Medicare coverage of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and cleared blood-based dementia screening tests. These tests represent a transformative step forward, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, connecting individuals to treatments and clinical trials sooner, and giving families precious time to plan.

Sen. Susan Collins, an established leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s on Capitol Hill and one of the ASAP Act sponsors, emphasized the stakes during the event. “One of the really exciting research developments in Alzheimer’s is a new blood test that can identify a biomarker that is an indicator of Alzheimer’s,” said Collins. “It used to be that you had to have a spinal tap or a PET scan or an elaborate test to determine whether or not you had Alzheimer’s…The breakthrough of having a blood test that could enable the kind of early treatment and planning is just an amazing development.”

With treatments emerging and research accelerating, early detection is essential to unlocking their full potential. The ASAP Act will help secure access to blood tests, ensuring more families benefit from timely diagnoses and care.

Now, we need your voice. Take action today and urge your member of Congress to support this bipartisan legislation. Together, we can ensure that progress in science translates into progress in people’s lives.

Watch the full event recording.