On Nov. 4, Texans will vote on a ballot measure the Texas Medical Association supports as vital to researching, studying, and developing techniques to treat and prevent dementia diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In May, the 2025 Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), proposing a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) in order to:
- Support and accelerate dementia research by funding early-stage, innovative biomedical and neurology-related science at eligible institutions;
- Fund neuro-technologies and programs with the greatest potential for commercial and societal impact; and
- Foster innovation and position Texas as a leader in a growing industry, bringing talent, jobs, and infrastructure to the state.
The bill also called for the creation of the related Dementia Prevention and Research Fund, which, if approved by voters through Proposition 14 on Nov. 4, would authorize the state comptroller to allocate state general revenue toward the institute’s goal of expanding neurological research in Texas.
Proposition 14 aims to authorize up to $3 billion in funding over 10 years for DPRIT, capped at $300 million a year. The measure is similar to the existing Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) that voters approved in 2007.
If approved, the amendment would take effect on Dec. 1, 2025. Under SB 5, DPRIT funding would be financed through money allocated by the state legislature, gifts and grants – including grants from the federal government – and other donations received for the fund.
Houston neurologist Reeta Achari, MD, who testified in favor of DPRIT’s creation in March on behalf of TMA, said Proposition 14 has the potential to make Texas a leader in dementia research, and thus, “attract much-needed physicians and subject matter experts and innovators from across the world.”
For example, Dr. Achari says, since CPRIT’s creation 18 years ago, more than 300 researchers and their labs have relocated to Texas.
Alzheimer’s disease, which comprises 60-80% of dementia cases, is rising in Texas and becoming a public health crisis, according to a Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) report from December 2024. More than 450,000 Texans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s, the report states.
“As Texas is seeing its largest population growth in people aged 65 and up, we are also seeing a growing number of older residents at risk of developing dementia. Texas now ranks third in the nation for the greatest number of individuals with Alzheimer’s risk,” TMA stated in testimony.
According to DSHS, the U.S.’ total annual costs for health care, long-term care, and hospice care for patients with dementia were estimated to be nearly $360 billion in 2024, which is projected to increase to nearly $1 trillion by 2050.
TMA noted these statistics in its testimony and asked lawmakers focus DPRIT not only focus on prevention and treatment, but also to:
- Study how best to provide stable funding for the long-term care of patients with dementia; and
- Study and determine the comparative cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of assisted in-home care versus nursing home care for patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and related disorders.
“The scariest thing for any human is to lose their memories because that’s how they lose themselves,” Dr. Achari told Texas Medicine Today. “These are devastating illnesses for patients and their families. None of us want to be plagued by losing the essence of who we are. I believe it is incredibly important for Texans to get behind this.”
Political advertising paid for by the Texas Medical Association.
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469