Gingrich Campaign Press Release - Gingrich Pushes for Boost in Federal Alzheimer's Research Money as Way to Save Money--Associated Press

...Gingrich cited figures from an Alzheimer's Association study-conducted by a subsidiary of insurer United HealthCare-which projected the total cost to the U.S. economy of the disease at $20 trillion through 2050.

Another study projected that Medicare and Medicaid spending to care for those with Alzheimer's would reach $800 billion annually, adjusted for inflation, by mid-century. Current spending is $130 billion annually. In terms of costs, the study suggests actual spending of $1.1 trillion through 2050 with the balance of the $20 trillion cost involving lost wages and worker productivity.

The industry-funded study also suggested that a drug that could delay the onset of Alzheimer's by five years could cut government spending by half in 2050.

Gingrich pitched the spending-with a bottom line undefined-as a way to shave the budget. He said that scientific research should be above politics.

"Alzheimer's should be a totally nonpartisan issues because Alzheimer's doesn't' respect Republican or Democrat, it doesn't respect liberal or conservative," Gingrich said. "Alzheimer's affects everybody at every part of American life. Therefore, we should be able to come together as Americans to have a health conversation with no partisanship."

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