Measure Would Create Council To Address Disease in Colorado
DENVER—Today the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 08-58, sponsored by Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood), which would address issues related to Alzheimer's disease in Colorado.
The bill would create the Colorado Alzheimer's Coordinating Council to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease in the state and to formulate a plan to address the disease. The Council will report its findings to the Governor, the General Assembly, and participating state departments.
“With the passage of this bill people with Alzheimer’s and their families have new hope for support in their ongoing battle with the disease,” Boyd said. “We hope to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and find more opportunities for shared community support.”
The Council would include 22 members and would begin meeting no later than March of next year.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 72 seconds. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias amount to more than $148 billion in annual spending. In 2000 nearly 49,000 Coloradoans suffered from Alzheimer's disease. That number is expected to grow by 47 percent, rising to 72,000 by 2010.
Senate Bill 58 next moves to the House for consideration.
