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Market Institute President Charles Sauer joined Lars Larson on “The Lars Larson Show” to discuss why Alzheimer’s policy could become a defining issue in the upcoming election cycle — especially in key swing states. The conversation focused on new polling data, early diagnosis, access to treatment, and the growing frustration Americans have with government and insurance barriers to care.
Sauer highlighted the findings of a recent Market Institute survey of more than 3,000 voters nationwide, including respondents in critical battleground states such as Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
“79% of these voters are more likely to vote for the candidate who prioritizes Alzheimer’s, and 87% of them believe that fighting Alzheimer’s should be a national priority.”
Sauer noted that nearly one in nine seniors currently lives with Alzheimer’s disease and that most voters personally know someone affected by it.
“58% of these voters that we surveyed know somebody or have family that has Alzheimer’s.”
During the interview, Sauer argued that policymakers should begin treating Alzheimer’s more like cancer by emphasizing early detection and intervention. He pointed to emerging blood tests and AI-assisted diagnostics that could help identify the disease sooner, but warned that government and insurance coverage barriers are slowing adoption.
“If you detect it early, then you can actually do something about it, and there’s blood tests that are now coming out, and there’s AI tests that have come out that can actually help diagnose these things quicker.”
Sauer also criticized restrictions preventing many patients from accessing FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments.
“We need more politicians just talking about it. But once we start removing the roadblocks from people to get treatments, we’ll also have more of a demand for these early blood tests.”
The conversation also touched on who should ultimately make treatment decisions. According to the survey data discussed during the interview, voters overwhelmingly believe those decisions should rest with doctors and patients — not government agencies or insurance companies.
“89% of people agree that doctors and not insurance companies or Medicare should decide who gets these treatments.”
Sauer concluded by arguing that Alzheimer’s is not only a health issue, but increasingly a political one that candidates cannot afford to ignore.
“This is an issue that a politician can stand behind, work on, and actually do something on that their voters will support.”
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