CHICAGO, May 12, 2025 — On behalf of Americans impacted by dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association is concerned with some of the proposed changes announced by the House Energy & Commerce Committee to reform the Medicaid program.
“The approach taken in the proposal limits the impact to people living with dementia and we look forward to continuing to work together with all parties to keep Medicaid strong for Americans facing dementia,” said Joanne Pike, DrPH, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO. “The stakes are extremely high. Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers rely heavily on Medicaid to help pay for critical care services as the fatal disease progresses. Today’s proposed cuts could still cause many in our community to lose access to important care services.”
People living with Alzheimer’s are nearly five times as likely to need skilled nursing facility care and more than three times as likely to require home health care than individuals living without the disease. Medicaid is the only federal program that covers nursing home stays that most people living with dementia require in the late stages of the disease, and home and community-based care for people in the early and middle stages of the disease. Changes to staffing requirements at these care facilities could limit access to quality care.
“Dementia is not just a health care crisis but a financial crisis for individuals, families and federal and state governments. We are making great progress on treating and preventing dementia but the realities of the disease today and in the future require a strong and solvent Medicaid,” continued Pike. “Medicaid is the only way many people with dementia can afford long-term care, and it is especially important that they have access to the quality care and support resources that the disease requires.”
The Alzheimer’s Association stands ready to work with Congress and state governments in bipartisan fashion to maintain a sustainable, person-centered, long-term support system in which people with dementia have access to a full array of services needed throughout every stage of the disease, including nursing home care and home and community-based options.
As the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Alzheimer’s Association is here all day, every day for people facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia. We remain committed, driven by the needs of our constituents, to our mission.
