Washington, DC (October 5, 2022) – Following the unconscionable and historic decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to deny coverage for an entire class of disease-modifying Alzheimer’s drugs, Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Nanette Barragán (D-CA) joined forces to prevent it from happening again. Their bill, the Mandating Exclusive Review of Individual Treatments (MERIT) Act, would require CMS to make Medicare coverage decisions based on the merits of individual drugs rather than rejecting an entire class as it did in April 2022.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s chair and co-founder George Vradenburg issued the following statement following the bill’s introduction:

“This bill corrects a massive injustice by CMS against people with Alzheimer’s. The decision by CMS to deny coverage for the first class of disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatments, including those still in clinical trials, was cruel and unconscionable. Further, for the first time in history, CMS refused to cover an FDA-approved drug, discriminating against millions of people living with this disease. This bill will help ensure CMS reviews each drug based on its own merits and prevent the agency from making uninformed blanket coverage decisions in the future.”

For more information about the bill, click here

About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s exists to conquer Alzheimer’s disease. We take on the toughest problems; bring all of “Us” together to break down barriers; advocate for research that will speed treatments to market; and drive changes that matter most to people living with the disease. We will not rest until brain-span equals lifespan - for everyone.