Grange Awards Congressional Leaders for Alzheimer’s Efforts

The National Grange is recognizing seven members of Congress with its Rural Health Champion Award for their work addressing Alzheimer’s care in rural America. The Grange says rural patients often face fewer specialists and greater barriers to early diagnosis.

This year’s honorees are:
• Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16)
• Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20)
• Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC-09)
• Representative John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA-13)
• Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04)
• Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-04)
• Representative Jason Smith (R-MO-08)

The Grange also said is also backing bipartisan legislation that would create a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-cleared blood tests for Alzheimer’s screening. The organization said earlier detection could help rural families connect with care, consider treatment options and plan for the future.

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