Mega Doctor News
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Senate took a significant step forward in the fight against dementia by passing Senate Bill (SB) 5 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 3, both authored by Senator Joan Huffman. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who co-authored these bills, expressed his strong support for the potential establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).
Senator Hinojosa stated, “There are few bills that we will pass this session that will have as significant of an impact for future generations as these dementia bills. This program is modeled after the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), and we have seen how that research has transformed cancer treatment for patients. I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for making this issue a priority and Senator Huffman for her leadership and commitment.”
SB 5 would establish DPRIT to focus on accelerating research into dementia and related disorders, enhancing innovation, and ultimately improving the health of Texans. With the alarming rise of dementia diagnoses—especially among Hispanic populations—this initiative is crucial. “Dementia is not just a medical issue; it’s a personal one that affects families and communities. We must prioritize research and resources to ensure that all Texans have access to the best possible care and support,” Senator Hinojosa added.
SJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment that would transfer $3 billion in state funds to the Dementia Prevention & Research Fund, ensuring funding for the next ten years, with a limit of $300 million in appropriations per fiscal year. This fund will support research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia, creating high-quality jobs and attracting top researchers to Texas.
Currently, approximately 400,000 Texans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the costs associated with care are substantial, with Texas Medicaid expenses estimated to be nearly $4 billion in 2024. Additionally, research indicates that Hispanics will continue to experience a steep increase in dementia diagnoses among all racial and ethnic groups, yet they are underrepresented in clinical trials.
Senator Hinojosa emphasized, “DPRIT is designed to make Texas a leader in combating dementia. In the RGV we have the UTRGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research. This center will benefit from DPRIT and the significant investment of $3 billion. These funds will speed up research to help us learn more about this terrible disease, how we can prevent it, and eventually cure it.”
The establishment of DPRIT marks a historic commitment to improving the quality of life for those impacted by dementia and ensuring that Texas remains at the forefront of medical research and innovation. The bills are now in the Texas House for consideration.
