Medicare should cover Alzheimer’s drug

On Jan. 6, the Food and Drug Administration approved lecanemab, now known as Leqembi, using the accelerated approval pathway. Based on results from very strong clinical trials, leading Alzheimer’s researchers agree this treatment changes the course of the disease in a meaningful way for people with early Alzheimer’s. But because of the decision the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services has put into place, Medicare will not cover this treatment. 

This is the first time in the history of the Medicare program that it will not cover an FDA-approved treatment upon its approval. CMS’s policy is unjustified, harmful and unfair.

Growing up, I watched my grandmother’s struggle with dementia, and in my role as Delaware’s director of state government affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association, I witness every day the devastating impact of this fatal disease on our community – our loved ones, friends and neighbors. It is time for action! The Alzheimer’s Association has filed a formal request calling on  CMS to provide full, unrestricted coverage for Alzheimer’s treatments that have been approved by the FDA. We ask Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester to join us in urging CMS to provide full coverage for FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drugs, just as it does for FDA-approved drugs for every other disease. I also encourage all Delawareans to learn more about how to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by going to alzimpact.org.