Rep. Baker's Bill to Increase Awareness of Cognitive Impairment, Dementia Passes House Session

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) today announced that House Bill (HB 397) passed the Ohio House of Representatives on June 26th with a 95-0 vote.

“Rep. Hoops and I were able to attend the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Day in April at the Statehouse and I talked with many Ohioans who provided stories of seeing signs of cognitive decline early on but attributed them to “normal aging or forgetfulness” and thinking there was not a reason to follow up with a healthcare provider until the symptoms became more severe. We learned about groundbreaking clinical trials and medications that have the potential of stopping or slowing the progression of cognitive decline but only if these medications are started early in the disease process. During these conversations, I realized just how important it is that early symptoms are taken seriously by family members, who are often the first to notice, and by healthcare professionals”  said Rep. Baker. 

HB 397 will:

• Require the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Aging, Commission on Minority Health, and community organizations to incorporate Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia awareness information into relevant public health outreach.