Committee advances $300,000 dementia telementoring grant after Alzheimer’s briefing

Chairwoman Bliss convened the Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 22 to hear an Alzheimer’s Association presentation and consider House Bill 22‑02, which would place $300,000 from the State General Fund into a DHS‑administered dementia care telementoring grant program.

The hearing opened with a research and care update from Dr. Anna Burke, director of the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute, who described rising case counts and gaps in diagnosis: "Only a small number of patients actually receive a timely diagnosis," she said, emphasizing workforce shortfalls and the consequences of late care. Tori Roburg of the Alzheimer’s Association told the committee clinicians report low confidence and limited training in dementia diagnosis and care; she urged support for HB2202 as a way to spread best practices statewide.

Committee staff summarized HB2202 as a three‑year, $300,000 appropriation for a grant program to disseminate dementia care best practices, with DHS responsible for an annual published summary. Supporters included clinicians and a person with lived experience who told lawmakers early diagnosis enabled planning and access to treatments. No witnesses signed in to oppose the bill.

After brief member remarks the committee moved the bill. The roll call recorded 11 Ayes, 0 Nays and 1 Absent, advancing HB22‑02 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

What’s next: HB22‑02 will enter the budget negotiation process; DHS would implement the program if the appropriation remains in the enacted budget and rulemaking or grant manuals follow standard procedure.