Madden pleased Alzheimer’s office proposal becomes law

Rep. Maureen E. Madden    July 12, 2024 | 1:52 PM

HARRISBURG, July 12 – State Rep. Maureen Madden said she is excited that bipartisan efforts to establish a full-time state agency dedicated to supporting dementia initiatives across Pennsylvania were signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 54 of 2024.

“For years, people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders have not been prioritized in Pennsylvania. We can and we must do better for them and their loved ones who care for them,” said Madden, majority chair of the PA House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.

House Bill 2310, which makes numerous changes to the state’s Fiscal Code, includes language similar to that authored by Madden in H.B. 2400 that would create a permanent Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Office within the state Department of Aging. The ultimate goal is to coordinate across state agencies, advocate policy and leverage resources to better respond to the unique and complex needs of those living with dementia disorders and the systems that support them.

“There are more than 280,000 folks in PA suffering from ADRD, yet the state currently only allocates $250,000 annually toward dementia-specific disease education, outreach and programming,” said Madden, D-Monroe.

Madden said estimates suggest that by 2025, the number of Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase to 320,000, with the total Medicaid costs to care for them expected to increase by over 10%.

“Today is a huge win for the Alzheimer’s Association and all the selfless advocates who have been tirelessly pushing for this legislation for years,” Madden said.