Today, an estimated 4.5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease. I can only imagine what it is like to watch a loved one suffer from this debilitating disease. My heart goes out to all those families who face this challenge daily. The financial burdens that usually accompany this illness only make the struggle harder.

As a member of the House Appropriation's Committee, I am a supporter of increased funding for medical research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) so that we can find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's. Over the past decade, Congress has more than doubled the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is quite an achievement and a significant step toward providing cutting edge treatments for victims of all diseases.

But more must be done to help those caregivers who have given up so much to care for their loved ones. Several years ago, I cosponsored H.R. 4029, the Long Term Care and Alzheimer's Advancement Act, that is aimed at providing more assistance to Alzheimer's patients and their families. Unfortunately, this bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. I also cosponsored H.R. 1083, the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which has been reintroduced this Congress. This bill would provide grants to states to develop statewide coordinated respite care programs. It would also establish a National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to maintain a national database and provide training, technical assistance, and information for families and other caregivers.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to support increased funding for medical research and look for ways to help ease the strain so many folks feel when caring for a relative over a long period of time.