"A devastating disease": Texas voters to decide on $3B state-run dementia fund in upcoming election

Texas Voters Face Crucial Decision on $3 Billion Dementia Fund Amid Growing Epidemic of the Rare Disease.

The state's healthcare system is grappling with the increasing number of people living with dementia, a devastating disease that strips away brain functions such as speech and recognition. The condition affects over 6 million Americans, including more than 500,000 Texans who currently live with it, while another 1.1 million care for victims without receiving any payment.

The proposal, known as Proposition 14, aims to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), which would receive $3 billion in funding if approved by voters in November's election. The institute is modeled after the state's Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and has been touted as a potential solution to the country's growing dementia crisis.

However, the proposal also faces opposition from lawmakers who argue that it represents "corporate welfare on steroids" and could lead to a loss of independent innovation. Some critics have pointed out past mistakes made by similar state-funded programs.

Despite these concerns, proponents of the bill believe that Texas is in a unique position to tackle the issue due to its vast resources and diverse population. They argue that the institution would bring together leading researchers and companies, creating new opportunities for scientific breakthroughs and job creation.

Wendy Rosenthal, whose 60-year-old wife suffers from frontotemporal dementia, hopes that an effort like this could lead to a cure in her lifetime or for future generations of families affected by the disease. Her husband, Lowell, described his wife's descent into dementia as "hell," emphasizing the need for increased funding and support.

As Texans prepare to decide on the fate of Proposition 14, experts and advocates urge voters to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of such a significant investment in state healthcare.

Ugh, a $3 billion fund for dementia research... like we haven't already spent enough money on medical stuff . But I guess it's a good thing they're trying to tackle this growing epidemic, especially since 500k Texans are already living with the disease and another million care for them without any payment .

I mean, can you imagine having to deal with that kind of stress? It's like, your family member is slowly disappearing bit by bit . I'm all for innovation and research, but at what cost? The opposition about "corporate welfare on steroids" makes sense, tbh . Can't we just cut the corporate red tape and get straight to the point?

I'm literally sobbing thinking about Wendy Rosenthal's wife Lowell describing his wife's dementia as "hell" It's heartbreaking, but at the same time, I think this is exactly why we need to take action on this $3 billion fund for dementia research! It's crazy that there are over 500k Texans living with it and another 1.1 million caregivers who aren't getting paid We can't keep ignoring this epidemic, especially when we're talking about people like Wendy who've seen her loved one suffer

I get where the opponents of the bill are coming from, but I think it's time to take a leap of faith and invest in our future . The idea that Texas can tackle dementia on its own is crazy talk - we need all the help we can get! And if it means collaborating with leading researchers and companies, then so be it

We owe it to people like Wendy and Lowell to try everything we can to find a cure or at least alleviate their suffering . Let's not be afraid to think big and take risks - our lives depend on it

I'm thinkin' it's kinda crazy that $3 billion is up for grabs for dementia research. I mean, it's a huge amount of cash, but at the same time, 6 million people in this country are dealin' with dementia... it's a lot. The fact that 1.1 million caregivers aren't gettin' paid for their work? That's just not right. But on the other hand, some folks are worried that it'll lead to big corps makin' too much money off of research and innovation. I'm all for findin' cures, but we gotta be smart about how we do it. Maybe we can look at what's been done in the past with CPRIT and see if there's a way to make this work without losin' that independent vibe.

This is like so heartbreaking that people are still suffering from this super rare disease and there's no clear cure yet . I feel for Wendy and her husband Lowell, their story gives me chills . I think the $3 billion fund could be a game changer if done right, it could bring together top researchers and companies to find a way to prevent or slow down this disease. But at the same time, we gotta make sure that our money is being used wisely and not just creating more problems in the future . I hope voters will make an informed decision and choose what's best for Texas . We gotta look out for each other, especially when it comes to something as important as healthcare .

I just saw this thread about the Prop 14 thing and I'm like yeah I remember seeing it last month when I was scrolling through my feed . It's crazy how fast news spreads, right? Anyway, I think it's great that Texas is trying to tackle dementia on a state level. As someone who's seen it affect their family, it's heartbreaking to see the impact it has on people and their loved ones. $3 billion might seem like a lot, but considering the number of Texans affected by this disease, I think it's a worthwhile investment .

omg u guys i cant believe texas is debating a $3b fund for dementia research like its literally happening in our lifetime now how many ppl have family members or friends affected by this? i feel so bad 4 those who are struggling, esp with frontotemporal dementia, it sounds like a nightmare but on the other hand its kinda inspiring to see ppl like wendy & lowell fighting for change & a possible cure im all for research & innovation, esp when it comes to something as debilitating as dementia lets keep our fingers crossed that texas gets this right & we can find some answers soon

[Image of a cartoon character with a confused expression]

[Video of a researcher looking at a brain scan, with a red X marked through it]

[Image of a person holding a sign that says "Dementia: The Silent Killer"]

[Animated GIF of a lightbulb turning on, with the words "New Hope for Dementia Research?" appearing below]

Ugh, $3 billion is a lot of cash , but can we really trust that it's gonna be used efficiently? I mean, we've seen some shady stuff go down with those corporate welfare programs in the past... The fact that some lawmakers are already throwing shade at this one before it even happens is concerning. And what about the risk of stalling innovation because of bureaucratic red tape?

On the other hand, I get why people want to invest in finding a cure for dementia - it's heartbreaking . If Texas can pull off something like CPRIT and make it work, that'd be awesome. But we need to make sure we're not just throwing money at a problem without a solid plan in place .

I'm still on the fence about this whole thing... needs more info before I make up my mind .

Wow this is crazy! Like, Texas has a whole $3 billion fund just waiting to be allocated towards dementia research I'm all for it too, especially since 1 million people in the US care for victims without any payment It's heartbreaking to think about those families struggling with no support or resources Maybe this institute can bring some hope and a cure to the 500k Texans living with dementia

I'm worried about this $3 billion fund ... it's not like we're trying to cure dementia overnight, but at least some research would be super helpful. I've seen so many ppl struggling with their loved ones' condition . It's heartbreaking when they don't get the care or support they need because of costs . Having a dedicated org like DPRIT could bring in top talent & resources to study this disease and find better treatments... that sounds like a solid plan . But, we gotta be careful not to just throw money at it without thinking through the long-term effects .

The forthcoming vote on Proposition 14 presents a pivotal juncture for Texas' approach to dementia care . While concerns about "corporate welfare on steroids" and past program mistakes are valid, I firmly believe that this initiative could yield substantial returns in terms of innovative research and job creation . The sheer scale of the US's dementia crisis necessitates a proactive response, and Texas' vast resources offer an attractive platform for collaborative endeavors . The personal stories shared by Wendy Rosenthal and her husband Lowell only underscore the urgent need for increased funding and support for individuals like them – their voices must be heard in this critical debate . Ultimately, it's crucial that voters approach this decision with a nuanced understanding of the potential benefits and risks, weighing the merits of Proposition 14 against the competing interests .

this is super concerning, 6 million Americans are affected by dementia & we're still debating whether to fund research the fact that 1.1 million caregivers aren't getting paid for their work is just heartbreaking it's not just about funding, it's about creating opportunities for innovation and job creation texas has a unique chance to make a real difference here

I think it's crazy that we're even debating whether or not to fund dementia research . I mean, it's not like it's going to cost us the world, but at the same time, it could potentially save so many lives and improve the quality of life for people who are already suffering. And let's be real, $3 billion is a drop in the bucket compared to what we spend on other things as a state . I'm all for investing in our healthcare system and finding ways to tackle this growing epidemic. We should be looking at it like a investment in our future, not just a handout to big corps .

idk why ppl are worried about corp welfare... $3 billion for research & treatment isnt gonna break the bank plus it's not like they're just handing out free money, its a fund for ppl who need it most. my aunt has dementia too & she needs that kinda care rn. i feel bad for lowell & wendy, their story broke my heart. lets hope the voters do the right thing this november

my heart goes out to you if u or someone u know is dealing with dementia ... its like watchin ur own life slip away slowly it cant be easy . 300 billion sounds like alot but think about all the ppl affected & the impact its havin on families so yeah lets hope this initiative works out for everyone involved

I'm so torn about this one . On one hand, I totally get why we need more funding for dementia research - it's like, my grandma struggled with Alzheimer's for years and I saw firsthand how it ravaged her life . But on the other hand, $3 billion is a whoppin' chunk of change, and I'm worried about whether that kind of money will just get siphoned off by corporate interests .

I mean, think about all the stories like Lowell's wife Wendy - she's got a frontotemporal dementia that's basically destroying her life, and all we can do is wait for some miracle cure . It's heartbreaking, you know? But at the same time, I'm also super wary of government-funded programs getting hijacked by Big Pharma or whatever .

I guess what I'm saying is, let's just make sure we're not throwing good money after bad here... or worse, making things worse for people like Wendy who are already struggling to cope .

The max has been thinking about this dementia fund thingy . I mean, $3 billion is a lot of cash, but it's also kinda scary that we're running out of time when it comes to finding a cure for dementia. Like, 6 million Americans are already affected and 1.1 million caregivers aren't getting paid? That's just not right .

At the same time, I get why some people are worried about corporate welfare and stuff. We don't want any "steroid" programs that might stifle innovation or something . But on the other hand, if we can bring together top researchers and companies to find a cure for dementia... that's like, totally worth it .

For me, it's all about empathy . People like Wendy and Lowell are living through this hellish experience with their loved ones. If we can make a difference and bring some hope to those families... then yeah, I'm all for the $3 billion . We gotta take care of each other, you know?

omg I'm so worried about my grandma she's been dealing with dementia for years now and it's like watching her shrink before our eyes ...anyway $3 billion is a lot of money but at the same time i feel bad for ppl who cant afford proper care right now [https://www.npr.org/sections/health...92481/the-growing-dementia-epidemic-in-the-us] they should totes create more dementia research centers and stuff

I'm so down for this ! A $3 billion fund for dementia research is like, super necessary . I mean, we're talkin' about a disease that's already killin' people left and right, and yet there's barely any money bein' thrown at it. It's time to step up our game ️. And let's be real, the opposition is just whack . I don't wanna hear about "corporate welfare" when we're talkin' about savin' lives here .

And have you seen the stats on how many people in Texas are affected by dementia? It's like, over 500k people . We gotta do somethin', and we can't just sit around waitin' for someone else to take care of it . This fund could be the key to unlockin' some serious breakthroughs .

I know Wendy Rosenthal's story is heartbreaking, but her husband's words about his wife's condition... man, that's like, straight from the heart . We gotta make this happen for people like them. So yeah, I'm all in for Proposition 14 . Let's make Texas a leader in dementia research and put an end to this devastating disease once and for all !