Senate Told Alzheimer's May Eventually Overwhelm Medicare

The increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease among baby boomers may eventually overwhelm the Medicare system as well as other health programs, according to the Alzheimer's Association in a report to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Alzheimer's currently costs the government $50 billion, according to the report, and the Alzheimer's Association says that in the next decade, government costs to treat Alzheimer's patients will increase to $82.3 billion, the cost of increased hospital and doctors' visits for approximately 5.5 million patients.

The report projects that the number of Alzheimer's sufferers will increase to 14 million by 2050.

The Alzheimer's Association is urging Congress to add $200 million to the $500 million currently spent annually on Alzheimer's research.

Other sources: AP, Reuters