Op-ed: To Make America Healthy Again, Fight Alzheimer’s
By John Czwartacki
For patients and families facing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), every day spent waiting for answers is precious time that could be productively used treating or managing the diagnosis. That’s why recent progress in early detection of this cruel diagnosis is so meaningful. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the leadership of President Donald Trump, recently cleared the not one but two blood tests that can be used to aid in the initial assessment of whether a patient has Alzheimer's or other causes of cognitive decline.
Studies show that a vast majority of seniors want to know if they have AD, rather than remain oblivious. Thanks to these new blood tests, instead of waiting months for specialist appointments or expensive imaging, patients can now start the diagnostic process with their doctor during a routine visit. Earlier answers mean faster access to potential treatments and more time for patients and loved ones to make decisions on their own terms. For millions of families, these tests represent more than scientific progress—it’s access to hope.
Beyond the medical benefits, early diagnosis can help us chip away at the growing Alzheimer’s epidemic in the United States, which is expected to jump from 7.2 to 13.8 million diagnoses by 2060. From a financial standpoint, catching the disease earlier will create substantial savings for both Medicare and Medicaid programs. Not to mention, a shift toward prioritizing early detection and prevention will be a significant step in making healthcare smarter and more humane.
Prioritizing early detection isn't just the right thing to do—it's also politically popular. New polling shows that across the political spectrum, there is wide voter support for early detection treatments. 90% of recently polled voters in competitive Congressional districts support requiring Medicare to cover blood tests that can detect Alzheimer's early on. Moreover, 92% support updating Medicare rules to make it easier for doctors to prescribe treatments to slow the disease.
Regardless of political affiliation, 87% of voters support President Trump ordering Medicare to cover detection tests and make it easier to prescribe Alzheimer's treatments. Even a majority of Harris voters agree that this would be a major achievement of President Trump in the war on Alzheimer's.
It is clear that making early detection tools and Alzheimer's treatments more affordable would be a massive win for the Trump Administration. Polling also shows that a candidate who supports these policy changes in Medicare gets a huge boost at the polls—particularly from swing voters.
Voter support for increased access to FDA-approved treatments in the case of Alzheimer's demonstrates a desire for expanded access overall. In its efforts to “Make America Healthy Again,” the Administration must not forget patients like me who are already sick. Medicare coverage for even more treatments is one way to go about this. Removing unnecessary barriers, such as coverage with evidence development (CED), which requires patients to be enrolled in studies to receive coverage for treatment and limits access for rural or mobility-impaired patients, as well as prior authorization and step therapy requirements, is another way.
The Trump Administration has already taken important steps in the right direction. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has instigated a renewed focus on lifestyle and diet changes to improve the health of the American people. And President Trump recently issued a presidential memo that recommitted to “accelerating the research and innovation needed to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease.” As the Administration advances these MAHA efforts, it must also expand access to key treatments for diagnosing and treating illnesses that impact many Americans. This includes common-sense policy: directing Medicare to cover new cleared blood tests that can diagnose Alzheimer’s, making it easier for doctors to prescribe FDA-approved treatments for the disease. It also includes removing any other unnecessary barriers preventing Medicare beneficiaries from receiving treatments, including coverage with evidence development (CED). It is only by allowing Americans to access scientific breakthroughs at our fingertips that the Administration will be able to make our nation healthier.