Hill Briefing
Center Founder Gingrich Tackles Alzheimer’s Alongside Former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
Hill Briefing
Photo Credit: Alzheimer's Association
On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich presented testimony to a hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging as members of the Alzheimer’s Study Group. This taskforce of national leaders is charged with creating an Alzheimer's National Strategic Plan to overcome the mounting Alzheimer's crisis and managed by Center for Health Transformation Project Director, Robert Egge. The Study Group was launched in 2007 with the bipartisan support of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease to develop a coordinated national plan to fight the disease.
At the Congressional Hearing, Justice O’Connor discussed her personal hardships as a caregiver and urged Congress to support a national strategic plan that addresses all aspects of the disease. Speaker Gingrich explained the goals of the Study Group and offered some innovative ideas for how Congress and the federal government can address the many consequences of Alzheimer’s disease.
Later in the evening, Speaker Gingrich and Former United States Senator Bob Kerrey received the Chairman’s Leadership Award for their work as co-chairmen of the Alzheimer’s Study Group at the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Alzheimer’s Gala. This award recognizes individuals who have affected change on a national scale to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s and improve the lives of those affected by the disease.For media coverage on the hearing, please visit the following websites:
· Reuters
Justice O’Connor testimony
Speaker Gingrich testimony
Video of the Special Committee on Aging
