WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVVA) - U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., reintroduced bipartisan legislation aimed at helping primary care providers better detect, diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The bill is called the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act. Capito’s office says the legislation would expand training opportunities for primary care providers using virtual continuing education, with the goal of improving dementia detection and person-centered care in community settings.

Capito said the bill would build on the Project ECHO model to help clinicians access dementia focused education, which she said is especially important in rural states like West Virginia where specialty care can be limited.

Klobuchar said earlier detection can reduce stress for patients and families, lower unnecessary health costs and improve access to care.

The Alzheimer’s Association also voiced support, saying delays in diagnosis can mean missed opportunities for planning and support.

The bill text says it would amend the Public Health Service Act to expand the Project ECHO Grant Program to include capacity building for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

A group of senators joined Capito and Klobuchar in introducing the bill, including Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Andy Kim, D-N.J., James Lankford, R-Okla. and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. A companion measure was also introduced in the US House, according to Capito’s office.

You can read the full text of the AADAPT Act here.