SENATE APPROVES DEMENTIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
(AUSTIN) — The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that is intended to create the largest brain health research center in America. As the population of America ages, the number of dementia patients continues to grow, and is projected to reach 82 million patients by 2050. A person over the age of 55 has a 42 percent chance of developing dementia over the course of their life. Bill author and Houston Senator Joan Huffman said that Texas already has the third-most dementia patients in the country – almost half a million – and last year state Medicare costs for dementia care alone topped $4 billion. More important than cost, however, is the toll the disease takes not only on patients, but on family, friends, and caregivers. “It robs a person of their thoughts and memories, the very essence of that person,” said Huffman. “It leads to a loss of quality of life and independent function that places an immense burden on families and loved ones and our overall healthcare system.” Her bill, SB 5, would create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) and would endow it with $3 billion in surplus revenue, in an effort to draw the best and brightest physicians, researchers, and experts in the field of dementia to Texas.
Huffman said that the institute would put Texas at the forefront of dementia research.
Huffman told members that Texas is poised to impact research into Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia more than any other state. “There is no better place than Texas to take on this challenge,” she said. “We have world class medical centers and researchers and our business friendly tax and regulatory environment puts Texas at a unique advantage to become the epicenter of biomedical research.” The program is modeled on the successful Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, or CPRIT, which was created in 2009 in order to create a world-class cancer prevention and treatment center. CPRIT is now a $6 billion institution, the largest cancer research organization in the country and second largest in the entire world. “I believe that DPRIT will follow this success and position Texas as a national leader in combating dementia and related disorders, accelerating groundbreaking research, and improving the lives of millions of Texans,” said Huffman.
Under the bill the institute would be governed by a board made up of physicians and scientists with expertise in the field of dementia research. Grants could be awarded for projects addressing the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia patients, as well as new medicines and facilities to help treat sufferers. Following the initial capitalization of $3 billion in general revenue, future appropriations into the institute would be capped at $300 million per year.
The concept was the idea of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and he said that Texas’ size and economic strength gives it the ability to take on big projects like this. “Unlike any other state, really, we do have the wherewithal sometimes to do great, big things that impact everybody,” he told members. “Of the surplus dollars we have…it seems like it could be the best money that we are spending.”
Wednesday’s session ended on a somber note, with the news of the passing of long-time state representative, former Houston mayor, and current US congressman Sylvester Turner of complications from long-term health issues. Senator Borris Miles of Houston, a long time colleague and friend of Turner, memorialized Turner’s 35 years of public service at all levels of government. “His legacy is one of tireless advocacy,” said Miles. “He represents a fierce commitment to justice, and relentless drive to improve the lives of those in need.” Turner served for 27 years in the House of Representatives. The Senate will honor his memory and the contributions he made to the state with a formal resolution next week.
###