Sen. Walker Shares Update
| Recently, a bill I authored to help Alzheimer’s patients passed out of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions. Senate Bill 220 would require the state employee health plan (SEHP) to provide coverage for groundbreaking new medications that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. While there are many therapeutic drugs used in the treatment of the symptoms of dementia, these new mediations actually slow the progress of the disease, allowing patients to stay independent longer and improving their quality of life. There are approximately 2,130 individuals age 65 or older covered by SEHP, and it is estimated that 200 to 250 of these individuals covered by SEHP could be diagnosed with a form of dementia. SB 220 will now move to the full Senate for further consideration. |