Oversight of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA)
January 2026
Alzheimer’s Disease is the only top 10 cause of death without a cure or effective prevention.
About NAPA
Enacted: 2011 to create the first permanent federal framework for addressing Alzheimer’s Disease.
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.
Create the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, governed under FACA law. The law required inclusion of 12 non-federal advisors, and required annual progress reports to summarize how federal agencies spend congressionally-appropriated funds.
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 of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (2026)
Reauthorization: (October 2024).The bipartisan NAPA legislation was reauthorized unanimously, extending the Act to 2035, including the requirement to focus on reducing disparities.
Changes to the Advisory Council: The reauthorization expanded membership to include:
three researchers, including at least one researcher demonstrated experience with recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups into research or clinical trials related to dementia, and individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
one representative from a historically underserved population whose lifetime risk for developing Alzheimer’s is markedly higher than that of other populations, and
representatives from additional federal agencies (Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Justice, Social Security Administration).
Function: Positions the U.S. as a global leader in Alzheimer's 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 including increased capacity and AI- supported precision medicine.
Care & Services: CMS Dementia GUIDE model linking patients to care.
Cross-Agency Coordination: Coordination: For example across Health and Human Services, Food & Drug Administration, a designee of the Office of the Director of National Institutes of HealthIH, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMS, Veteran’s Administration, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Administration on Aging, Indian Health Service, Surgeon General, National Science Foundation, AHRQ.
Concerns and Urgent Priorities (2026)
Advisory Council Functioning
Advisory Council operations halted in 2025 due to administration changes. No annual report has been provided as required in the law.
Ensure member appointments comply with FACA and NAPA law. The law requires appointment of 12 experts from outside the federal government and specifies characteristics of members.
Ensure meeting agenda items and discussion comply with conflict of interest requirements and efficiently advance NAPA goals.
Provide public notice of meetings.
Transparency and Accountability Risks
Suspension of meetings slowed coordination and scientific progress.
Public disclosure and FACA compliance reduced.
Infrastructure and evidence base at risk.
Immediate attention required: Ensure transparency of member selection criteria, compliance with legal requirements for membership, and integrity and proper functioning of the Advisory Council.