Alzheimer’s task force bill goes to Deal

A measure to create a task force on Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause dementia received final passage Thursday in the House. The bill describes Alzheimer’s as a “looming national public health crisis” and establishes a task force that will assess Georgia’s ability to effectively care for its citizens living with the disease and those like it.

The task force will look at the state’s strengths and weaknesses — both in the public and private sector — and develop a state plan by the end of March 2014 to improve Georgia’s dementia programs and services. Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, will now go to the governor for his signature.