INDIANA – In the final weeks of the legislative session, the Alzheimer’s Association is urging Indiana lawmakers to include funding for the Dementia Care Specialist program that passed out of the General Assembly on Tuesday, April 11 in their budget priorities.
House Bill 1422 authorizes each of the state’s Area Agencies on Aging to create full-time Dementia Care Specialist positions that will bring dementia expertise to local communities. However, critically important funding to implement the program was not included in the bill and has not yet been included in draft versions of the state budget.
“We appreciate the overwhelming, bipartisan support HB 1422 has received in both chambers of the General Assembly,” said David Skar, director of government affairs, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “However, without funding, it is unlikely that the bill will be implemented – which will cost more money in the long run. Time is running out to fund this common-sense approach to making our state more dementia capable. We urge lawmakers to fund this bill to help Hoosiers affected by Alzheimer’s and, ultimately, reduce costs to taxpayers.”
Indiana spends $1 billion a year in Medicaid funds on Alzheimer’s alone, and that number is expected to increase in the coming years as the prevalence of the disease rises. Dementia Care Specialists would provide community education and help connect caregivers with resources. These services can help individuals stay in their homes and remain active in their communities longer. Funding for the program would cost about $3 million over the course of two years. A similar program in North Dakota yielded more than $39 million in long-term savings.
House Bill 1422 is authored by Rep. Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis) and co-authored by Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), and Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond).
Rep. Porter said, “As a family caregiver for someone living with Alzheimer’s, I’m proud to have authored HB 1422. I know how important a program like this will be for others who are searching for more information and support. The return on investment will be incredible. I will continue to press my colleagues to fund the specialist program in our final budget negotiations.”
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville), Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) Sen. Eddie Melton (D-Gary), Sen. Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis), Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) and Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis).
Sen. Becker said, “During every budget session, we discuss ways to slow down the explosive growth in Medicaid spending. With Alzheimer’s and dementia already costing Indiana’s Medicaid system over $1 billion a year, I applaud my colleagues for helping me pass HB 1422. This bill is a common-sense piece of the puzzle. Now we need to make the investment in the program to get it off the ground.”
