Advocates Passage of Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act to Support Early Detection of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize June 2026 as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
The resolution seeks to increase public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, support continued investment in research and recognize the strength and sacrifice of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
“As someone who cared for a parent with this horrible disease, I believe that it is critical for Congress to recognize the impact that Alzheimer’s and dementia have on the millions of Americans diagnosed every year, as well as the caregivers who support them,” said Buchanan. “I also hope this resolution brings awareness to the need for congressional action to expand access to early detection opportunities to give people the chance to seek care sooner. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received for my Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act, and I call on my colleagues to pass this bill to ensure every American can benefit from life-saving innovations in early Alzheimer’s and dementia detection.”
“As the primary caretaker for my mother who has Alzheimer’s, I know how tough the disease can be for both the loved one who has it and for the families who look after them,” said Barragán. “Alzheimer’s disease continues to devastate families and communities across our country. Far too many—especially in underserved communities—face barriers to early detection, treatment, and care. Strong federal funding for research and investments in support services for our families and caretakers means that more communities will have access to the resources they need. Together, we can work toward a future where every individual has equitable access to care, and where breakthroughs in treatment and prevention bring hope to millions.”
“As research continues to drive promising advancements in the prevention, detection, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, we know that early identification, timely diagnosis, and appropriate intervention offer the greatest opportunity to improve patient outcomes and quality of life,” said Bilirakis. “That is why it is so important that we raise awareness of the warning signs, expand access to screening and assessment, and ensure families have the resources they need to navigate this devastating disease. My own family has lived with the heartbreaking effects of Alzheimer’s for more than a decade, so I have witnessed firsthand the profound emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on both patients and their loved ones. We owe it to the millions of Americans affected by this disease to build a healthcare system that prioritizes education, early detection, coordinated care, and continued investment in research so that every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity and the best possible quality of life.”
“I lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s, so I know firsthand how cruel this disease is for patients and the families caring for them,” said Sanchez. “More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today, and it disproportionately affects women, Latinos and Black Americans. Our resolution will help raise awareness of the early warning signs and support the research that will one day lead us to a cure.”
This resolution is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM).
“Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, yet too many Americans still don’t know the signs, the risks, or the resources available to them,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “Thank you to Reps. Barragán, Buchanan, Bilirakis and Sánchez for raising awareness with this bipartisan recognition, and for your commitment to the millions of families counting on continued progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”
In November 2025, Buchanan introduced the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act (H.R. 6130) alongside Congressman Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.). The ASAP Act would ensure that seniors have timely access to innovative blood-based diagnostic tests that can detect Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in their earliest stages.
Buchanan’s ASAP Act is cosponsored by over 157 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced companion legislation (S. 3267) in the Senate that has 35 bipartisan cosponsors. In March 2026, 459 leading organizations and researchers with the LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease), the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) endorsed the ASAP Act.
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