Background

Brain disorders, diseases, and conditions are far more common than is typically realized by the general population and are a critical component of well-being. The importance and impact of challenges to brain health expand exponentially given the way they relate to cognitive, emotional, and physical health.

Neuropsychiatric disorders represent the highest loss of disability-adjusted life-years of any disease category. The top 3 disorders of the aging brain are stroke, dementia and late-life depression. With the growing wave of seniors, we can expect the continuing frequency of all three. Sports-related injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and depression are significant threats to young people. In fact, 20% of students have seriously considered suicide, while 10% have actually attempted it. Statistics can vary between demographic groups; for example, Black individuals are twice as likely to experience strokes and dementia. The causes of damage to brain health include genetic factors, environmental toxins, infections and trauma.

Brain disorders can be linked to other parts of the body, including the heart. This connection has driven research and advocacy from organizations, notably the American Heart Association. Collaborations as well as independent research have been productive. Genetic research has also provided information on causes and potential treatments. AI and other technologies have provided opportunities to improve communications. It is imperative that we fight against the budget cuts and other actions that undermine the work that has already yielded so much.

Types of Brain Diseases, Disorders and Condition

• Neurological
• Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion
• Neurodegenerative (ex. Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s)
• Vascular (ex. stroke, aneurysm)
• Tumors
• Infections (ex. meningitis, encephalitis)
• Seizure Disorders (ex. epilepsy, migraines)
• Autoimmune (MS, autoimmune encephalitis)

Issues concerning brain health include: 

• Limited access to quality, affordable multidisciplinary healthcare
• Cuts to research funding 
• Challenges to Disability Rights in terms of supporting involuntary commitment, the right to vote, access to healthcare, and more
• Declining resources for education and awareness—to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and encourage community support for local programs and services.

Federal Legislation & Policy

• The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) which creates a coordinated national plan for research, care and support
• The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act which requires mental health and substance abuse benefits at parity with medical and surgical care
• H.R.8541 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress 
• S.Res.217 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. does not have the confidence of the Senate or of the American people to faithfully carry out the duties of his office. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress 
• Medicare & Medicaid Expansion: Federal bills like the More Behavioral Health Practitioners Act (S. 683/H.R. 7324) propose additional Medicare payments for practitioners working in mental health shortage areas. 
• The Strengthening Medicaid Behavioral Health Act allows state Medicaid programs to expand intensive community-based services and mobile crisis interventions.

Parity Enforcement: The federal administration paused the enforcement of finalized regulations that would have required insurers to provide stronger, equivalent coverage for mental and physical health conditions.

Trump Administration Attacks on Brain Health Support

• Funding and regulatory shifts/cuts 
• Research cuts forced “brain drain” of scientists 
• War on DEIA protections has had an impact on staffing, research, and patient care.
• Attempted control over science funding
• Attempts to cut the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) 
• Proposals to cut National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research agencies’ funding 

Additional information on Trump's attacks on disability rights:

• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/29/trump-rule-cut-federal-benefits-disabled-adults-older-people/89836823007/
• https://www.disabled-world.com/editorials/political/trump-disabled.php
• https://familiesusa.org/resources/advocates-were-right-to-sound-the-alarm-congress-cut-over-1-trillion-from-health-care-and-states-are-already-paying-the-price/
• Disability Rights Are at Risk as 7 States Back Case Attacking Key Protections | Truthout