Veterans Affairs Decision to Cover Leqembi Should Serve as Model for Federal Regulators
Vradenburg: “Americans shouldn’t have to risk life and limb to get access to treatments that could drastically change their quality of life.”
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2023) – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s chair and co-founder George Vradenburg issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair’s decision to cover leqembi for veterans living with early stages of Alzheimer’s:
“The Department of Veterans Affairs has taken courageous action befitting the patients in their care. America’s veterans deserve the best possible treatment in return for their service, regardless of their health conditions—which is why the VA’s decision to cover leqembi for eligible Alzheimer’s patients is so significant. With the estimated number of veterans being treated for Alzheimer’s expected to increase in the years to come, the decision to help slow the progression of this disease is both good public policy as well as a physical manifestation of the American government keeping its promises to our service members.
“While I am heartened to know that more patients will receive the care they need, Americans shouldn’t have to risk life and limb to get access to treatments that could drastically change their quality of life. My genuine hope is that regulators at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services look to the VA’s decision as a model for how to ensure that the millions of eligible Americans who could benefit from Leqembi have the chance to take advantage of its benefits before it is too late.”
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UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is engaged in a relentless pursuit to end Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading killer in America. Our work centers on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and access to treatments – all regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. To achieve our mission, we give voice to patients and caregivers while partnering with government, scientists, the private sector, and allied organizations -- the people who put the “Us” in UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.