Last month Governor Newsom released his proposed 2022-23 budget. With a projected budget surplus, our state has an opportunity to make crucial investments in the systems that serve our families and support the growing aging population.

There are some specific investments that are specific to dementia:

• $10 million one-time fund to continue supporting Alzheimer’s Healthy Brain Initiative grantees and expand up to six additional local health jurisdictions. Alzheimer’s Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are grant recipients.
• $350 million one-time fund to build a more ethnically and culturally inclusive workforce through the hiring of new community health workers and offering new certifications in areas such as climate health, homelessness, and dementia.
• $341,000 to implement cognitive health assessments as a Medi-Cal beneficiary for those who are 65+ and otherwise ineligible for coverage under Medicare.
• Funding to support the implementation of the Master Plan on Aging and California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)

While we are pleased to see investments in older adults and specifically for those impacted with Alzheimer’s disease, more can be done. Alzheimer’s Los Angeles is advocating for more resources for caregivers, including an investment of $25 million for evidence-informed caregiver education.

The Governor’s budget requires approval by the state legislature. Below are some key dates in the budget process.