“You Need to be, in Today's World, the CEO of Your Own Health”
Advocates for ASAP Act, Early Screening and Support for Families
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee, joined Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) for an interview moderated by Kathleen Koch, contributing editor at The Hill, to discuss the importance of early detection, prevention and support for families battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Buchanan highlighted his bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which would expand access to blood-based biomarker testing and improve early diagnosis for patients.
On prevention and early intervention
Koch: “So you are both co-sponsors of the ASAP Act. So could you give us a little bit more detail in what exactly it would do, the specifics of the act?”
Tonko: “In October of 25, The FDA approved what is one of the first blood-based biomarkers that determines whether or not there is a concern for Alzheimer's. If the amyloid count is indicated through that blood test, then they would be eligible with our bill for Medicare coverage...”
Buchanan: “I'm big on prevention. I think our whole healthcare system is backwards. We react to things instead of being proactive. My dad, unfortunately, had Alzheimer's. I lived through that for 10 or 12 years. ... It was a very difficult time for our family. ... The point is to get after these things in the early stages the best we can. That's why we're fighting for this. There’s a lot of momentum.”
On the impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers
Koch: Congressman Buchanan, you were talking about early detection and how important that is for patients. But how important is that really also for caregivers, for families?
Buchanan: “For many families, it's a major, major struggle. ... We've got to find a way to work closer with people that have these challenges and do whatever we can to make a difference in their support.”
On rising health care costs and the need to be proactive
Buchanan: “We're spending $5 trillion a year ... and you can make the argument that we're getting sicker as a society. ... We've got to find a way to look at all of this ... and I think a lot of that starts with prevention. ... We've got to be more proactive on the front end. ... That's why I'm so excited about the bill that we've got together.”
Koch: “How do we really get that message to resonate and for Americans to really absorb that when it comes to prevention and lifestyle? Help people understand, you know, you may not have to take these medicines, receive these therapies, if you exercised, if you ate right, that lifestyle is so critical.”
Buchanan: “You need to be, in today's world, the CEO of your own health. ... I've got 10 grandkids. ... I'm fighting for their future as well in terms of what we're trying to do here today. But I think it all starts with prevention. ... You've got to do the annual things. ... Even if it just means something as little as getting a physical every January.”
On nutrition and lifestyle choices
Buchanan: “You've got to eat real food. That's part of the problem a lot of our food's highly processed. ... So we have to find a way to get people to be motivated to educate themselves and their children to make better choices. ...We make a lot of investments with our children, school programs, we've got to make sure they get good nutritional food.”
On bipartisan momentum behind Alzheimer’s policy
Koch: "I'm curious if either of you share the concern that my first guest did that because there is no 100% cure for Alzheimer's, that's behind this resistance to pay for these preventive tests."
Buchanan: “I'm bullish. I think we're going to move along, hopefully quicker than we have. We just need to galvanize and have a vision. ... There's a lot of momentum right now, more than I've ever seen ... and it's bipartisan. ... I think everybody's touched, they either know a family member or somebody in their community or a friend that's had Alzheimer's, and it just makes sense that we find a way to come together.”
On the urgency of addressing Alzheimer’s for future generations
Koch: “How important do you think it is, not only for current patients, but for future generations, you know, your grandkids in mind, that we get our hell in this disease that is taking such a toll?”
Buchanan: “I'm optimistic. I think we've got a lot of good people that are very motivated and very focused. I do think we have to have a clear plan on exactly where we're at and where we're going. Then let us ... and others plug into that and make a difference in our communities.”
Tonko: “I think one of the greatest commodities we can offer as a government is hope. The hope that comes by bringing these groups together. ... You see the purple brigade going through the halls of government. That's an impact. ... If you believe in Vern's bill and mine, the Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act, ASAP, please call your colleagues in the House and in the Senate ASAP.”
On momentum behind the ASAP Act and improving Alzheimer’s care
Koch: “What do you think your chances are of passage before you retire?”
Buchanan: “I'm very excited about it. We're going to get it done. ... There are things we can do to maybe slow things down diet, exercise, social ability. ... The problem in America is nobody cooks anymore at home. ... When you go and eat something at a restaurant, God only knows what you're eating.”
Koch: “I'm curious what your thoughts are on the implications if your bill doesn't pass soon, if action doesn't happen on these blood biomarker tests that are so critical. Because Alzheimer's cases are expected to double, double to nearly 14 million that's by 2050.”
Buchanan: “I've been on the health committee quite a while. We were spending $600 billion in Medicare. Today we're spending $1 trillion, too. ... Then on the Medicaid stuff ... all of a sudden, we're at $700, $900 billion. That's $2 trillion between the two programs, and it's quickly going to another level. We have to find a way to do more with less.”
In addition to being the Vice Chairman and most senior Republican on the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan is also the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, which has broad jurisdiction over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and Medicare Advantage.
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