Moran’s Memo: Defeating Alzheimer's Disease

Every 68 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease – a devastating and irreversible brain disease that slowly destroys an individual’s cognitive functioning, including memory and thought.

Alzheimer’s currently affects more than 5.2 million people in the United States and more than 35.6 million worldwide. As the population ages, the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after age 65 will double every five years, while the number of individuals 85 years and older with this disease will triple by 2050.

These statistics provide a much-needed Alzheimer’s reality check; this terrible disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and there is currently no diagnostic test, no treatment and no cure.

The U.S. Senate recently held a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee on the devastating impacts of Alzheimer’s – both personal and economic – and the state of current research initiatives. I invited my former colleague, Congressman Dennis Moore of Lenexa to share his personal testimony at the hearing.

Rep. Moore was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in June 2011, after serving Kansas’ Third District from 1999 to 2011.

“An epidemic is upon us and too many families are in situations like mine facing a fatal disease that currently has no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression,” Rep. Moore told the Committee.

I asked my former colleague what health care professionals are telling him he can do about his diagnosis. Dennis responded, “Basically to take the medication that they diagnosed for me… and also to get some exercise, which I try to do on a daily basis. My wife very much encourages me to do that. I’m a smart husband, I say, yes dear.”

I truly appreciate Congressman Moore’s willingness to testify before the Senate on behalf of the thousands of Americans and people around the world who have encountered Alzheimer’s disease. The way he is living his life gives others courage and hope, and I commend him and his wife Stephene for their continued public service.

As a nation, it is critical that we confront the pending Alzheimer’s health care crisis and its financial costs as the baby boomer generation ages. Caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to cost $203 billion this year, with $142 billion covered by the federal government through Medicare and Medicaid. A study by the RAND Corporation stated that the cost of dementia care is projected to double over the next 30 years, surpassing health care expenses for both heart disease and cancer. Yet, for every $270 Medicare and Medicaid spends caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s, the federal government currently spends only $1 on Alzheimer’s research.

Alzheimer’s has become a disease to define a generation, but if we focus and prioritize our research capacity, it does not need to continue as an inevitable part of aging. Research suggests that more progress could be made with a boost in investment. One study found that a breakthrough against Alzheimer’s that delays the onset of the disease by five years would mean an annual savings of $447 billion by 2050.

A sustained federal commitment to research for Alzheimer’s will lower costs and improve health outcomes for people living with the disease today and into the future. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the National Institute of Health (NIH), I am committed to prioritizing funding for Alzheimer’s research.

Last year, the omnibus appropriations bill increased funding for the NIH to support Alzheimer’s research, and supported the initial year of funding for the new initiative to map the human brain. Both projects will increase our understanding of the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s, unlock the mysteries of the makeup and functioning of the brain, and bring us closer to effective treatments and one day – hopefully – a cure.

It is time to truly pledge to defeat Alzheimer’s disease in the next decade. The health and financial future of our nation are at stake and the United States cannot afford to ignore such a threat. Together, we can make a sustained commitment to Alzheimer’s research that will benefit our nation and bring hope to future generations of Americans. The challenge is ours and the moment to act is now.

Community Foundation preliminary Match Day report

The McPherson County Community Foundation reported to Mid Kansas Online that their first Match Day on Wednesday was a rousing success.

Preliminary numbers show that over one hundred fifteen thousand dollars was raised to benefit nineteen community organizations.

The Blitz winners that recieved an additional $1000 grant by having the most donors at the Community Foundation during designated time periods are as follows:

7am-9am McPherson Public Library

11am-1pm McPherson Family YMCA

2pm-3pm Meals On Wheels

4pm-6pm McPherson High School Band

Donna Beggs was drawn as the donor to get to choose where the final $1000 Random Act Of Kindness grant would go, and she chose to divide the funds between McPherson Family YMCA and Meals on Wheels.

Change Your Clocks, Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

Daylight Savings Time begins March 9, and as communities prepare to “spring ahead” one hour, the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal urges residents to practice fire safety by testing their smoke alarms and changing the batteries. Alkaline batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and a good rule of thumb is to change the batteries when you change your clocks.

“Ensuring you have working smoke alarms in your home is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire,” explains Doug Jorgensen, State Fire Marshal. "Your risk of dying in a fire is greatly reduced when your home is equipped with working smoke alarms,” he continues.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

To protect your home, follow these smoke alarm safety tips:

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including in the basement.

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery. Date each unit when they are installed and replace them after ten years – or sooner if they do not successfully pass the test by sounding the alarm when the test button is pressed.

In addition to changing smoke alarm batteries, it is also a good idea to practice a family escape plan:

Plan and practice two escape routes out of every room in your house.

Designate an outside meeting place.

In case of fire, call 9-1-1 once you are safely outside your home.

Once outside, stay outside and don’t return for anything – not even a pet.

WACCC thanks McPherson for a Fabulous February

Members of Women and Children Combating Cancer (WACCC) recently took time to celebrate a FABULOUS FEBRUARY!  The organization had many events in February, which lead to donations of over $12,000 for the month! 

The success was a collaboration of efforts by Inman High School Cheerleader Kristin Knackstedt, McPherson High School Girls Basketball Team/Think Pink Game, Pink Pajama Party and a grant distribution, in support of ‘Combat Bags’, made available through the Larry Wedel Health Fund, administered by the McPherson County Community Foundation.

The committee would like to thank the community for their ongoing support.  WACCC gives grants of up to $500 to women and children in McPherson County that are combating cancer.  If you know of a woman or child that is combating cancer, please contact the McPherson County Community Foundation at 206 S. Main, McPherson or at (620) 245-9070 for an application to receive a grant!

Chamber Academy to hold Ipad class

The McPherson Chamber of Commerce is proud to host a class as part of its 2014 Chamber Academy called "Using Your iPad for Business".

The class will be held Wednesday, March 19th from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the Hutchinson Community College- McPherson Center, 2208 E. Kansas.

The class will go over how to make use of the iPad in your business. From using iPads as Point of Sale checkout devices or as a laptop alternative, iPads have many useful applications in your business.

The cost of the class is $35 for Chamber members. The reservation deadline is Monday, March 17th. For more information, call the Chamber at 241-3303.

Statewide tornado drill Tuesday afternoon

The National Weather Service will conduct a  Statewide Tornado Drill at 1:30 p.m., today, Tuesday, March 4th.

As has been the case for the past 4 years, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver to the state of Kansas which will allow The National Weather Service to use the actual Emergency Alert System (EAS) code TOR for the tornado drill message. This means that NOAA Weather Radios that are set to receive the TOR code will activate for the test tornado warning.

City reshuffling personnel is highlight of Monday meeting

Some familiar names are taking new roles with the City of McPherson following action by the McPherson City Commission after an executive session as part of their Monday meeting. Paul Stanley Neufeld has been assigned to the newly created position of Police Traffic Lieutenant, which is a lateral move for him and will keep him at his current pay level.

Also acted upon by the City on Monday was the replacement of Assistant City Clerk Sherry Conyers, as Conyers is retiring at the end of the month. Current management intern Bo Moddlemog has been tapped for the modified position of Assistant City Clerk/Assistant to the City Administrator. Moddlemog will take on the full time position a couple of weeks early for training from Conyers and then shift into all the responsibilities upon her retirement.

California man pleads not guilty in Stockman accident

A California man has pled not guilty in the accident that severely injured a McPherson teacher. Mija Stockman was driving to work in December when

she was hit by another car driven by Jeffrey Paul Davis of Hesperia, Calif.

According to a release from McPherson County Attorney David Page, Davis waived his right to have a preliminary hearing Friday afternoon at the McPherson County Courthouse.

After his waiver, Davis was bound over for arraignment.  The matter proceeded to immediate arraignment and Davis entered Not Guilty pleas to the

three Counts charged in the Complaint.

The Court then set Davis' Jury Trial for April 9, 2014.  The trial is scheduled for two (2) days.

Davis has not posted bond; he remains in the custody of the McPherson County Sheriff.

Winter storm coming to McPherson County

McPherson County 911 had a conference call with the National Weather Service and wanted to update everyone on the Winter Storm Watch.

The forecast from the NWS indicated that there is a slight possibility of freezing drizzle on Saturday late morning/early afternoon (no ice accumulation expected for our area) then a break. The majority of the snow will start for our area Saturday evening and continue thru Sunday. Everything will be out of our area by Monday morning. We are in the 6” range with some higher pockets of snow around the Salina area up to 8”. The Winds will be 15-20 mph with wind chills Saturday night thru Monday morning at -10 to -20 degrees.

We will be monitoring the situation and sending out updates as they become available.

Stay warm and safe, friends!

Don Schroeder Legislative Report

This week the legislature reached the mid-point in the legislative session. Any non-exempt bills will be considered dead after this week. There is a procedure to revive them, but that is rarely done unless the situation is considered to be extremely important. Otherwise, a similar bill can be introduced in the 2015 session as we begin the process anew.

Committees finished meeting last week and will not have opportunity to meet again until late this week. At that point, the committees will primarily see Senate bills that have been passed to the House. Some will be happy their legislation is still alive, but many will be disappointed their legislative priority did not get through. That leaves the possibility of trying to get a floor amendment passed, and that possibility is typically slim as a bill with the correct subject matter is needed to attach an amendment.

Of course there are many different issues before us. I will give a recap of several that have garnered more attention. The first is what is known as the ‘Fair Tax’. This has not been scheduled for a committee hearing at this time. Another tax bill is repealing the mortgage registration fee. This has been sent to the full Senate for debate. The bill as it came out of committee phases out the fee and eliminates the portion for historic preservation.  A Commerce bill known as Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) received a low review from an audit, so the program was tightened up for better results.

The bill to move spring elections to the fall is still alive as the House bill was ‘blessed’ by moving it to the taxation committee. There are many implications to changing the election dates of school board members and city council or city commission members. Those elections are not currently partisan but could become partisan if moved to the fall. It is not known if voter turnout would be better, but that is another of several points that are being discussed.

In Agriculture issues, the Corporate Farming laws in Kansas received a judicial review over the summer and were determined to be pretty good. No action is planned to change those laws at this time, but it is always a possibility someone could sue the State. The decision seems to be wait and see if that happens.

I still receive mail regarding elimination of the death penalty. There is not an active death penalty elimination bill, but the bill making its way is one that would shorten the appeals time for inmates on death row. The time allowed in the bill is 3 ½ years, which raises concerns about due process. In other words, is the inmate receiving a fair review of their conviction if the amount of paper work and time for appeals is limited? This question should, and will, get additional debate.

The last issue I will review for today is Medicaid expansion. That is still on the table and several ideas are being thrown around. It could be beneficial for many hospitals because the law requires providing emergency room services even though reimbursement for services may not be made. No payment for services is especially difficult for the small rural hospitals. The hesitation is that the Federal government may not keep their promise to continue to provide a high level of reimbursement. There may be several options to explore should this occur. In the end, the Governor has the last say on expansion.

After a two day break, we will be back in session to begin looking at the policy issues the Senate has passed to the House. Most legislative members continue to monitor communications during the break, so please stay in touch!