Rep. Linda Sánchez introduces bipartisan legislation to improve early detection of Alzheimer’s

Carol Johnson and her husband, Rolfe Johnson, are shown at their home Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Rolfe was the first in Houston to receive Aduhelm, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez, who represents a portion of north Downey, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at tackling Alzheimer’s disease through earlier detection and intervention — a move that could have a direct impact on families in the Downey area coping with dementia-related illnesses.

The bill, titled the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, was introduced Wednesday by Sánchez and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress. The legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify cognitive impairment screening tools to improve early diagnosis and referrals, particularly during Medicare wellness visits.

“Having lost both of my parents to this cruel disease, I understand how critical early diagnosis can be,” Sánchez said in a statement. “Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would ensure early assessments and offer crucial resources for families. As our population continues to age and diagnoses are expected to rise, we can’t afford to wait.”

Alzheimer’s is already the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and projections estimate that 13.8 million Americans over 65 will be living with the disease by 2060. The CHANGE Act aims to make early cognitive assessments a routine part of annual Medicare checkups — a provision advocates say is critical for treatment and care planning.

Downey families could benefit from the legislation, particularly as the city’s senior population continues to grow. According to census estimates, nearly 14% of Downey residents are aged 65 or older, with many receiving care under Medicare.

The bill is supported by major advocacy and medical groups, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Academy of Neurology, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Local health providers and caregivers say tools for early detection could lead to earlier access to medication, clinical trials, and resources for families shouldering the burden of caregiving.

Rep. Sánchez, a senior member of the California congressional delegation, has made healthcare and senior services central to her legislative agenda. Her personal experience caring for parents with Alzheimer’s has informed her advocacy.

The CHANGE Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), and companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

For Downey residents concerned about dementia or interested in cognitive assessments, local healthcare providers such as PIH Health and Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center may be key partners in implementing the provisions of the CHANGE Act, should it become law.