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As the Congressional session moves to a close for a holiday break, lawmakers decided to approve a budget request to increase federal funding for Alzheimer's and dementia research by 60%. The earmarked federal budget will reach a total of $350 million.

However, no money bill is being deliberated that would support programs designed for existing patients.

The newly approved robust budget, however, did include a specific budget item for caregivers program known as Alzheimer's disease Supportive Services Program (ADSPP) worth $4.6 million for fiscal year 2016.

"I am very pleased that this robust funding will help caregivers offer emotional, physical and financial support to their loved ones who are battling Alzheimer's disease. This additional funding will help provide caregivers with the resources that they need to provide the best care for their loved ones," remarked Congresswoman Maxine Waters who is a ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services as quoted saying by LA Sentinel.

But the budget is largely set for fueling the research and development efforts aimed at producing a drug that delays Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia as mentioned in a Forbes article authored by Howard Gleckman.

The interest in Alzheimer's disease formed part of Obama's national healthcare agenda.

Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, has made it part of her campaign pledges to support an annual funding for Alzheimer's research initiative worth $2 billion which dwarfed the current and the newly approved funding.

According to Oceanside Post, Alzheimer's is set to become a large public health issue as baby boomers enter old age raising the overall healthcare cost to nearly $1.1trillion by 2050.