#United States #Chicago #American Center for Cures #disease cures #2026 midterms

American Center for Cures: A Call to Action

As the midterm elections approach on November 3, 2026, the American Center for Cures is making an urgent appeal to citizens across the United States. The organization is advocating for a national priority shift towards curing diseases, urging Americans to demand action from their elected officials and candidates. Co-founder Lou Weisbach emphasizes that diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer significantly impact the nation, costing healthcare systems over $1.1 trillion annually.

The Financial Burden of Disease

The staggering sum reflects just how pervasive and costly these diseases are to the American population. Alzheimer’s disease, for instance, is projected to incur combined Medicare and Medicaid costs of $263 billion by 2026, soaring to a staggering $642 billion by 2050. In terms of direct healthcare costs, diabetes is estimated to have cost $412.9 billion in 2022, while heart disease and stroke collectively cost around $223.2 billion per year, in addition to indirect costs from premature deaths totaling nearly $191.5 billion.

The financial implications of cancer care also stand out, with national costs reaching approximately $208.9 billion in 2020. In stark contrast, the American Center for Cures proposes a comprehensive plan projected to cost $750 billion over six years—remarkably less than the annual costs associated with just these four diseases. This plan would be financed chiefly through the sale of U.S. Treasury bonds.

A Vision for the Future

Weisbach passionately argues that disease is an issue that transcends political affiliations, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s a universal concern that touches every American, and thus, it deserves bipartisan attention. He highlights, “When cancer or Alzheimer’s strikes your family, the price of gas and the cost of groceries suddenly stop mattering.”

To effect change, the American Center for Cures is suggesting that voters take tangible actions leading up to Election Day. They encourage constituents to make their voices heard by recording short videos or posting on social media about why curing disease matters to them and their families. Using the hashtag #TheCuresPledge, these personal messages should then be sent to their elected representatives and candidates on their ballots.

The Need for Legislative Change

The underlying goal is to prompt Congress to prioritize the funding of the American Center for Cures and acknowledge the pressing need for action against disease through bipartisan legislation. The organization stresses that solving health issues now, leveraging available science and technology—including artificial intelligence—requires the will to provide adequate funding and accountable leadership.

If Congress greenlights the funding, the American Center for Cures would initiate 16 private-sector initiatives. Fourteen of these would specifically target single diseases with budgets of approximately $36 billion each, while supplementary units would focus on general diseases and artificial intelligence applications, each with $108 billion allocated.

The Path Forward

This initiative, founded in 1999 by Weisbach and Dr. Richard Boxer, M.D., aims to not only alleviate the personal anguish associated with diseases but also tackle the immense financial burden they present to the nation. The American Center for Cures is calling on voters to recognize the opportunity they have to reshape the healthcare conversation in the U.S. by making curing disease a priority this election season.

In conclusion, as Americans prepare to go to the polls, the message is clear: citizens must make curing disease the number one focus among candidates. With collective action and a unified voice, they can influence the future of healthcare in the U.S. and pave the way for substantial change in the community’s battle against diseases. For more information regarding this initiative and how to participate, visit The American Center for Cures.