Ep 16: George Vradenburg and Russ Paulsen - Alzheimer’s Advocacy Scorecard

2022 is already proving to be one of the most pivotal years in the history of the fight against Alzheimer’s. Along with major accomplishments in areas like research and prevention, Alzheimer’s patients have been caught in the crossfire of inter-agency politics between the FDA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), which recently announced it would deny Medicare coverage for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments unless patients participate in highly restrictive clinical trials.

George Vradenburg, Co-Founder and Chairman of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and Russ Paulsen, Chief Operating Officer, join host, Meryl Comer, to review the Alzheimer’s Advocacy scorecard. They discuss successes that include the creation of ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health), increased funding for research, and the addition of a prevention goal in the National Alzheimer’s Plan - major successes for patients that are clouded by the recent ruling issued by CMS. Listen to the conversation as they talk about this unprecedented decision and its impact on not only Alzheimer’s patients but other patient groups, like cancer, that benefit from the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program.

You can help reduce stigma and misconceptions about dementia and empower others to speak freely and live life to the fullest. Share your experiences by email at [email protected]. The Story Project by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s: Giving Voice to What Matters Most, will feature the stories of people who are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.