Assigned to HHS & APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2087
appropriation; dementia awareness
Purpose
Appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2024 to the Department of
Health Services (DHS) to distribute to a nonprofit organization that meets outlined criteria to
implement a public education campaign to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and
dementia in rural and underserved urban areas in Arizona.
Background
DHS is established to promote and protect the health of residents and provide and
coordinate public health services and programs for Arizona. Responsibilities of DHS include but
are not limited to: 1) promoting the development, maintenance, efficiency and effectiveness of
local health departments or districts; 2) collecting and tabulating all information required in
reference to births; 3) conducting a statewide health education program; 4) coordinating local
programs concerning control of preventable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition and
dental health; 5) establishing and maintaining laboratories; 6) conducting continual evaluations of
state, local and district public health programs; and 7) licensing and regulating health care
institutions (A.R.S. ยง 36-132).
Dementia is a general term that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including
Alzheimer's disease. Disorders grouped under "dementia" are caused by abnormal brain changes that
can trigger a decline in cognitive ability that may be severe enough to impair daily life, independent
function and affect behavior, feelings and relationships (Alzheimer's Association).
Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and
behavior and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. It is a progressive disease, where
symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but
with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to
their environment. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can
live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors (Alzheimer's Association).
H.B. 2087 appropriates $500,000 from the state GF in FY 2024 to DHS.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $500,000 from the state GF in FY 2024 to DHS to distribute to a nonprofit
organization to implement a public education campaign to increase awareness of Alzheimer's
disease and dementia in rural and underserved urban areas in Arizona.
2. Requires DHS to distribute the monies to a nonprofit organization that:
a) demonstrates expertise in memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease; FACT SHEET
H.B. 2087
Page 2
b) hosts a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free hotline, with interpreter services if needed,
staffed by master's level consultants to provide education on Alzheimer's signs and
symptoms, decision-making support, dementia crisis assistance, treatment options and
referrals to local community resources;
c) provides care and support for those affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias; and
d) demonstrates experience in marketing and public awareness campaigns.
3. Requires, by November 1, 2024, DHS to submit a report of the impact of the public awareness
campaign to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
and the Secretary of State.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
APPROP 1/25/23 DP 14-1-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/22/23 46-14-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 9, 2023
MM/slp