NAPA Reauthorization Act and Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act head to White House to be signed into law

Washington, D.C., September 23, 2024 — Today the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed critical bipartisan legislation to continue making progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia: the NAPA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 619 / S. 133) and Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (H.R. 620 / S. 134). These bills passed the Senate in July, and they now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

“By passing these urgently needed pieces of legislation today, the House of Representatives has taken action to ensure our nation continues making progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Together, these bipartisan bills will renew our nation’s commitment to addressing this devastating disease so we can one day achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “Thank you to our bipartisan congressional champions for their leadership in introducing and passing these critical bills, which will have a real-world impact on the Alzheimer’s community for years to come.”

The NAPA Reauthorization Act was introduced by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) in the House, and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in the Senate. 

The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act was introduced by Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) in the House, and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) in the Senate.

Thanks to the support of House leadership, both the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act were scheduled for a floor vote today. 

The NAPA Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) (P.L. 111-375). This bipartisan legislation would build on the progress made in clinical and long-term care and public awareness by improving our nation's care and support response, emphasizing the importance of healthy aging and risk reduction.

The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act builds on the original Alzheimer’s Accountability Act, which was first enacted in 2014. This bipartisan legislation requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue to submit an annual Professional Judgment Budget to Congress to ensure Alzheimer’s and dementia research is funded at the levels needed to achieve the goals in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. 

“With NAPA and the original Alzheimer’s Accountability Act set to expire soon, updated legislation is urgently needed by people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers,” said Egge. “Thank you to all of our dedicated advocates for telling their stories with their members of Congress and sharing why reauthorizing these bills is so critically important. Because of your support, the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support today.”