Representatives Juan Ciscomani and Jake Auchincloss Introduce Alzheimer’s Early Detection Act to Expand Access to Life-Saving Early Screening for Alzheimer's

Washington, D.C. - As a staunch advocate for expanding access in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, Rep. Ciscomani is co-leading H.R. 9823 the Alzheimer's Early Detection Act with Rep. Jake Auchincloss to ensure Americans have access to the tools and resources needed to detect Alzheimer's earlier and make informed healthcare decisions before the disease progresses, for better health outcomes.

"Early detection can change the way families approach Alzheimer's disease by providing patients and their loved ones with critical information sooner," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani."This issue is deeply personal to me. Like most Americans, several people close to me are currently battling with this horrendous disease. I have seen firsthand the importance of ensuring families have the information, resources, and support they need before a diagnosis becomes a crisis. No family should have to navigate Alzheimer's alone, and every American deserves the opportunity to better understand their health risks and access care as early as possible."

"Few families in America are untouched by Alzheimer's," said Rep. Auchincloss. "My mission is to make my children's generation the first one with the medical tools to prevent this cruel and costly disease. Early detection is critical to that mission."

The Representatives' work has been applauded by members of the local community, local and national advocates, and Alzheimer's associations.

"As my wife's caregiver, I've seen firsthand how devastating Alzheimer's is-not just emotionally, but financially. Families like ours shouldn't have to worry about whether they can afford the testing needed to catch this disease early or whether there will be better treatment options in the future," said Walter Shope from Tucson. "Early detection gives families more time to plan, access care, and make informed decisions. I'm grateful Congressman Juan Ciscomani is helping lead this effort to make those screenings more affordable and accessible while investing in research that could bring hope to families facing Alzheimer's every day. Caregivers need partners in this fight, and this legislation is an important step forward."

"As science continues to improve early detection of Alzheimer's disease, coverage must keep pace so more Americans can benefit as soon as possible," said Erika Sward, Chief Advocacy Officer, UsAgainstAlzheimer's. "UsAgainstAlzheimer's applauds Representatives Auchincloss and Ciscomani for introducing their bipartisan legislation to allow for pre-Medicare coverage of biomarker testing, which will help more Americans receive timely diagnoses, make informed decisions about their care, and better prepare for the future."

"Alzheimer's disease doesn't wait, and patients shouldn't have to either," said Casey McPherson, AfPA Executive Director, Alliance for Patient Access. "Early detection is critical, and with new tests it is possible to give patients and families more time to plan, access treatment, and participate in their own care decisions. By cutting the red tape and eliminating unnecessary hurdles, this legislation ensures patients get the biomarker testing their clinicians recommend without unnecessary delay. Thank you to Representative Auchincloss for pushing this effort forward to expand timely access to early diagnosis."

"Currently available blood tests accurately indicate Alzheimer's pathology in the brain at the symptomatic and even pre-symptomatic stages of the disease," said Paul Aisen, MD, Senior Scholar, USC Schaeffer Institute. "Studies show treatment with current therapies slows the disease, delaying loss of function by months to years; the earlier treatment starts, the greater the benefit (so delays in diagnosis must be avoided). The disease typically begins in the brain when people reach their 50s or early 60s; we must enable timely, accurate diagnosis for all."

Currently, Alzheimer's diagnoses are typically made between the ages of 75 and 84, often after symptoms have already begun impacting an individual's daily life. As a result, the cost of Alzheimer's and other dementia-related care continues to place a significant burden on families, with Medicare covering the majority of treatment-related expenses and costs projected to continue rising in the coming decades.

While advances in biomarker testing have created new opportunities for earlier detection, many Americans continue to face barriers accessing these tools. Currently, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans often do not cover what they consider "screening tests," unless symptoms have begun to materialize. These delayed diagnoses end up leaving many individuals and their families with significant out-of-pocket expenses. To address these barriers, the Alzheimer's Early Detection Act would ensure coverage for early screening across Medicaid and private insurance plans-allowing those services to be covered for those with a lineage of Alzheimer's in their family medical history, among other factors.

Rep. Ciscomani thanked the Alliance for Patient Access for supporting this legislation and for its continued advocacy on behalf of patients, caregivers, and families impacted by Alzheimer's disease.

Watch a video from Reps. Ciscomani and Auchincloss discussing the legislation HERE.

BACKGROUND

The legislation would require Medicaid and private insurance plans to provide coverage for early Alzheimer's detection services for adults who do not qualify for Medicare, ensuring more Americans can access critical screenings without facing unnecessary financial barriers. The bill would also require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a study examining the value of biomarker testing in detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

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