Beth McMullen

Beth McMullen

Vice President, Advocacy

In communities across the nation, passionate Alzheimer’s advocates put on their purple, picked up their signs and rallied for access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Alzheimer’s treatments over the last couple of weeks. Advocates joined together outside of each of the 10 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regional offices and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters in Washington, D.C., to have their voices heard. 

Every day without access to FDA-approved drugs, more than 2,000 people transition to a more advanced stage of Alzheimer’s where they are no longer eligible for treatment. Hundreds of Alzheimer’s advocates made it loud and clear to CMS that it is past time they change this unjust policy.

The rallies kicked off in Chicago on May 10, where more than 150 advocates joined together and heard from patient advocates and other volunteers. The group walked to the CMS regional office building, calling on CMS for #AccessNow and #MoreTime. 

Chicago rally
Chicago, Illinois

Mark Zumdahl spoke at the rally about the real-world impact of this unjust CMS decision. “My brother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and would greatly benefit from these treatments. Because CMS is blocking access to these treatments, only the very rich can afford them. And that's not right," said Zumdahl.

Following Chicago, advocates across the nation attended Rallies for Access in Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, New York, San Francisco and Boston, with the rallies wrapping up in Washington, D.C., at the HHS headquarters.  

A special guest spoke to Alzheimer’s advocates in Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.). Barragán thanked the passionate advocates for their dedication, shared her personal connection to the disease, and reiterated her strong support for access to FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments. Bipartisan members of Congress have called on CMS to reverse this unfair, unjust decision.

Barragan at rally
Congresswoman Barragán at rally in Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Third Act Images

Barragán said the CMS decision is hurting “Americans, and family members, and people that you and I love every single day by not providing access. It’s wrong that the FDA can approve a drug and then CMS says that it’s not reasonable or necessary.”

Joanne at DC rally
Joanne Pike at D.C. rally. Photo credit: Third Act Images

Joanne Pike, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO, attended the D.C. rally and emphasized why the Alzheimer’s Association is standing up with our advocates and taking action. “What we’re advocating for — equitable access to FDA-approved treatments — isn’t asking for special treatment. No, what we’re asking for, what we’re demanding, is what is right. It’s what CMS has done for all other FDA-approved treatments,” said Pike.

Although these rallies occurred in different regions across the country, they all shared the same message for CMS: “CMS, fix this mess!” and stop blocking access to FDA-approved treatments. CMS’ role is to provide health care coverage. Their role is not to stand between a patient and a doctor when deciding what FDA-approved treatments are appropriate. Their role is not to single out people living with Alzheimer’s and decide that their lives, their independence and their memories are unnecessary.

View the highlights from across the nation below, follow along online at #AccessNow and #MoreTime, and take action today by signing our petition or asking your member of Congress to urge CMS to change its decision.

Contact your local chapter to learn how you can get involved in your community and how you can be part of additional Rallies for Access happening across the country in all 50 states in June.

Chicago rally
Chicago, Illinois
Kansas City rally
Kansas City, Missouri
Atlanta rally
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta rally
Atlanta, Georgia
Philadelphia rally
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Seattle rally
Seattle, Washington
Denver rally
Denver, Colorado
Dallas rally
Dallas, Texas
NY rally
New York, New York
New York rally
New York, New York
New York rally
San Francisco, California
Boston rally
Boston, Massachusetts
DC rally
Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Third Act Images
Beth McMullen

Beth McMullen

Vice President, Advocacy

Beth McMullen brings over 25 years of political, policy and grassroots advocacy experience to her role as the vice president of advocacy for the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact...

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