Nearly 580,000 Floridians are living with Alzheimer’s, one of the highest totals in the nation. For many of those diagnosed, their care starts in their family doctor’s office. 

We’ve seen a problem though—many primary care providers never receive specialized training in dementia care, and in too many communities the nearest specialist is a long drive and a longer waitlist away. 

That’s why the House of Representatives passed the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act today. The bill builds on a proven training network to connect frontline doctors and nurses directly with dementia specialists. It means providers right here in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach Counties can identify cognitive decline sooner, coordinate care better, and get patients into treatment faster, without sending families hours from home.

I was proud to vote for the AADAPT Act and now it will head to the Senate for a vote.