Letter: CMS coverage decision on Alzheimer’s drug class is shocking discrimination

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released its draft decision to limit coverage for monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This draft states that all future FDA-approved treatments—regardless of clinical trial results and what the FDA recommends—will not be covered except in another clinical trial.

The proposed decision is so restrictive, it can hardly be considered coverage and is shocking discrimination against ALL people with Alzheimer’s disease. The decision further exacerbates disparities among women, Blacks and Hispanics and means access to treatment would now only be available to a privileged few—those who live near research institutions or can afford to pay out-of-pocket.

Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease are entitled to therapies just as people with conditions such as cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS. Treating people living with Alzheimer’s differently than those with other diseases is discrimination and unacceptable. The CMS must be challenged to consider the profound impact on the more than 6 million Americans — including the 19,000 Delawareans living with Alzheimer’s and their 46,000 caregivers — as well the millions more who may be diagnosed in the future.

I have witnessed firsthand the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals, families and communities throughout the state. Please, stand with the Alzheimer’s Association in calling on CMS to change this draft decision. We must ensure equitable access for all who could benefit from FDA-approved treatments.

— Katie Mackin, senior director, advocacy, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Letter: CMS coverage decision on Alzheimer’s drug class is shocking discrimination