Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training Act

This legislation reauthorizes the existing Project ECHO Grant Program and significantly expands its scope by establishing a new grant category specifically targeting Alzheimer's disease and related dementias . These new grants will fund eligible entities to evaluate, develop, and expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building models. The primary goal is to enhance the retention of healthcare providers and increase access to early and accurate diagnosis, as well as quality care, for individuals with dementia. The bill specifies that eligible healthcare professionals for these new grants are those providing primary care, especially in underserved areas or to underserved populations . Grant recipients must assess the models' impact and report findings to the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services, while the Secretary must also update a relevant report within four years. These grants require assurances that funds will supplement, not supplant, existing resources. Finally, the bill authorizes $10,000,000 annually for general Project ECHO grants for fiscal years 2022 through 2032, and $1,000,000 annually for the new dementia-specific grants for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.