Panel backs statewide Alzheimer's awareness initiative; $500,000 repurposed for caregiver projects

Representative Black presented HB 513, a bill to create a statewide Alzheimer's disease awareness initiative administered by the Department of Elder Affairs. The initiative would promote early detection and diagnosis, brain-health messaging, outreach about clinical trials and efforts to reduce health disparities among populations at higher risk.

Representative Black said Florida has roughly 580,000 residents living with Alzheimer's disease and noted the state has among the highest numbers in the country. The department has allocated $1,750,000 related to a differential unit rate increase for licensed adult day-care centers; Representative Black said $500,000 of that amount would be repurposed to Alzheimer's caregiver projects in Proviso and emphasized the proposal would not take money away from adult day-care centers. Future funding needs, she said, would be determined by the Alzheimer's disease advisory committee.

Two witnesses waived in support and Representative Rosenwald spoke in favor during debate, praising outreach to underserved communities and caregiver resources. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote and the subcommittee reported the bill favorably.

The initiative would move to the next steps in the legislative process; funding details beyond the repurposed $500,000 and any additional appropriations would be determined in subsequent budget action.