Project Director Ginger Wettingfeld, Program Consultant Jason Gerling, and Gemma Campbell of Mercy Medical Pace Program

People scurried in from the hot sun to fill the remaining seats at the GM&O Building this Wednesday morning. A who’s who of care providers gathered to hear what is in store from the Alabama Integrated Care Network. Conducting the ninth and last of the Alabama Medicaid Society’s organized meetings across the state, Jason Gerling presented a thorough explanation of the current system and how the 2015 legislation will be carried out with a target of readiness in 2018.

The ultimate goal is to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of Medicaid Healthcare and Long Term Care. He pointed out that the PACE program we have in Mobile is the only one of it’s kind in Alabama.

Attendees were given the chance to ask questions and share how they benefit from the current funding. A follow-up meeting is scheduled in September and a survey will follow. Comments can be submitted at ICNinfo@medicaid.alabama.gov.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are more than five million Americans

living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 15 million Alzheimer’s caregivers.

On their behalf, I am counted among 1,200 others across the country that appeal to Congress for action on Alzheimer’s disease.

Four people in my family have died from Alzheimer’s disease. As a result,

advocating for those who currently care for their loved ones and for people living

with the disease is a daily mission.

Alzheimer’s is not only devastating but fatal. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of

death in the U.S. with no cure or prevention.

We thank U.S. Reprentative Bradley Byrne for meeting with our delegation to

discuss the Alzheimer’s crisis. We are grateful for his support of the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education Act and for increased funding for research.

Most recently we have asked for his support of the Palliative Care Hospice

Education and Training Act (PCHETA).

It is only through adequate funding and implementing the National

Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease that we will meet its goal of preventing and

effectively treating Alzheimer’s by 2025.

To get involved, contact https://byrne.house.gov/contact and ask for support of PCHETA.

Beth Reinert, Ambassador for the AL/FL Panhandle Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.