FIRST IN THE NATION LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE DIAGSNOSIS IS SIGNED INTO LAW

(SACRAMENTO) — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 48 - The Alzheimer’s Dignified Diagnosis Act, authored by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). SB 48 creates a first in the nation innovative program to give Medi-Cal providers training, validated assessment tools, and payment incentives for conducting cognitive health assessments in order to achieve the statewide goal of improved Alzheimer's detection and diagnosis.

"This innovative approach will provide a timely and accurate diagnosis to families and increase awareness of this disease," said Limón. "I hope this bill will pave the way for other states and continue our collaborative fight to End Alzheimer's across the nation."

SB 48 fills an important gap in our healthcare system for individuals on Medi-Cal without access to Medicare. While Medicare offers a similar benefit within the Annual Wellness Visit, over 180,000 individuals over 65 do not currently have access to this benefit. With the program outlined in SB 48, we can finally fill this gap.

“SB 48 is a game changer for a significant number of low-income Californians living with dementia who have not been diagnosed,” says Jared Giarrusso, Government Affairs Director for the Alzheimer’s Association. “By incentivizing these benefits, we functionally close a healthcare gap that has left so many individuals with little to no access to a timely diagnosis.”

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is a somber yet critical step in the journey of living with the disease. It is an opportunity for an individual, and those they care for, to understand what they are facing.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you are not alone. Please call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

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Monique Limón represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Buellton, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Solvang, Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, and Port Hueneme. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.