U.S. Representative Young Kim of California’s 40th district has introduced new legislation aimed at improving access to Medicare for individuals diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease (YOAD). The BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2025 seeks to remove waiting periods that currently delay care for those under age 65 facing this diagnosis.
Young-onset Alzheimer’s is defined as dementia diagnosed before the age of 65, affecting about one in every thousand Americans between ages 30 and 64. An estimated 200,000 people in the United States live with this condition and often encounter significant barriers when trying to access timely government-supported healthcare.
“A diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer’s is devastating enough — families shouldn’t be forced to wait months for the care they need now,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act eliminates unnecessary bureaucratic delays so patients can access Medicare coverage immediately. This commonsense fix puts patients and families first when every moment matters.”
The bill would amend title II of the Social Security Act by eliminating the waiting period for disability insurance benefits and waiving the current 29-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. These changes are intended to ensure immediate support following a YOAD diagnosis.
“Alzheimer’s does not wait, and neither should access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. The bipartisan BRIDGE Act for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2025 will make sure individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer’s get timely access to care,” said Robert Egge, chief public policy officer at the Alzheimer’s Association and president of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM). “This is a critical step toward meeting the needs of families living with this disease. We are grateful to the bipartisan leaders who introduced this bill and look forward to working together to advance it.”
Jim Taylor, CEO of Voices of Alzheimer’s, also voiced support: “No one should be denied timely access to care simply because of their age. The BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act will ensure that individuals diagnosed before age 65 aren’t left without coverage from the very moment early intervention could slow disease progression. We’re deeply grateful to our congressional sponsors for championing this critical reform and standing with families racing against Alzheimer’s.”
Jennifer Puebla from Mission Viejo, California, who cares for her husband Kevin, age 52, shared her perspective: “This legislation gives people like me and thousands of others the chance to access the treatments and care we desperately need when we need it. Congress must act now to end this waiting period and put health and dignity first.”
The proposed act has received endorsements from Voices of Alzheimer’s, AIM, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rep. Kim has represented California’s 40th district in Congress since replacing Gil Cisneros in 2021; she previously served in the California State Assembly from 2014-2016. Born in Incheon, South Korea in 1962, Kim resides in La Habra and graduated from the University of Southern California with a BBA in 1985.
For more information on Rep. Kim’s background see https://youngkim.house.gov/about.
