Texas Dementia Research Institute Advances in House, Voters Hold Key to Funding

On Wednesday, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 5, which would create a $3 billion dementia research fund. It passed 127-21 with bipartisan support, thanks to Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, who are dedicated champions.

The planned Texas Dementia Prevention and Research Institute would utilize surplus state resources to fund brain disease research, hire top-notch doctors, and advance research on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Despite the win, the fund's future is dubious. Senate Joint Resolution 3, which is needed for constitutional amendment financing, requires 100 votes in the House. Given the current party tensions, Republican leaders must win 12 Democratic votes, which is a difficult task with 62 Democrats.

House Democrats threaten to obstruct all constitutional changes unless Republicans allow education voucher votes. All Democrats voted against a voucher proposal on Thursday, deepening the standoff. As a result, SJR 3 and additional revisions were delayed.

The idea also faces Republican opposition. Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, called the fund's $3 billion cost an overreach. Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, said it balances the interests of private pharmaceutical corporations.

Alzheimer's, the most common dementia (80%), affects Texas. At least 459,000 Texans over 65 (12%) have been diagnosed. Texas has the largest at-risk population, although the east has a higher prevalence. Due to protein blockages in brain cells, this degenerative brain illness causes memory loss and daily task difficulty in the mid-60s.

Alzheimer's expenditures exceed $300 billion yearly and are expected to reach $1 trillion by 2050, affecting over 7 million Americans (two-thirds of women).