Oversight of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA)
January 2026
ADRD is the only top 10 cause of death without a cure or effective prevention.
About NAPA
- Enacted: 2010 to create the first permanent federal framework for addressing ADRD.
- Purpose: Accelerate treatment innovation, improve early diagnosis, and coordinate care across the U.S.
- Origins: Builds on the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease (established 1999).
- Current Task Force Chairs:
- Senate: Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) & Mark Warner (D-VA)
- House: Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) & Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Requirements Under NAPA
- Maintain a National Plan updated annually.
- Report progress to Congress each year.
- Support the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, governed under FACA law.
Why ADRD Matters
- Economic Impact: Annual care costs exceed $345 billion and are rising.
- Demographics: Over 7 million people have Alzheimer’s, including 1 in 9 aged 65+.
- Caregiving Burden: Millions of families provide care, creating physical, emotional, and financial stress.
Current Status (2026)
- Reauthorization: Unanimously extended to 2035 (October 2024).
- Advisory Council Updates: Expanded membership to include clinical trial experts and individuals diagnosed with ADRD.
- Function: Positions the U.S. as a global leader in ADRD research, care, and services.
- Operations: Quarterly meetings provide progress tracking and involve patients and families.
Key Results Since Enactment
- Research Advances:
- Two FDA-approved treatments for early Alzheimer’s
- FDA-approved blood test for early detection
- Ongoing innovations in development
- Care & Services: CMS Dementia GUIDE model linking patients to care.
- Cross-Agency Coordination: HHS, FDA, NIH, CMS, VA, CDC, DoD.
- Research & Technology: Increased capacity and AI-supported precision medicine.
Concerns and Urgent Priorities (2026)
Advisory Council Functioning
Advisory Council operations halted due to administration changes.
- Ensure member appointments comply with FACA and NAPA law.
- Provide public notice of meetings.
- Resume annual progress reports (none since January 2025).
Transparency and Accountability Risks
- Suspension of meetings slows coordination and scientific progress.
- Public disclosure and FACA compliance reduced.
- Infrastructure and evidence base at risk.
Immediate attention required: Integrity and proper functioning of the Advisory Council.