Older Americans Act Reauthorization Introduced by Sen. Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT), chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, introduced on May 23, The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2013, legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Older Americans Act (OAA). OAA covers in-home services, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, adult day services and other vital services for seniors. 

LeadingAge has supported previous legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which expired in September 2011. 

The bill strengthens the Older Americans Act by:

• Encouraging contributions for services from individuals with incomes at or above 200 percent of the poverty line, which would be used to supplement, not supplant, any other funds expended for activities described in this Act. It also requires that the Assistant Secretary conduct an evaluation on this change to the meal program and submit a report to Congress.

• Directing the assistant secretary for community living to award grants or enter into contracts to carry out projects to support and promote models for modern multipurpose senior centers and requires a report to Congress on the results of program evaluations.

• Requiring the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a more accurate way to measure the older adult’s living expenses to reflect the high-inflation goods and services, such as  health care, prescription drugs and home heating expenses.

• Establishing State Home Care Ombudsman Programs; requires that states have a Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights and a Plan for Enforcement; and improves access to necessary quality information for long-term care ombudsman for the protection of residents’ rights.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Al Franken (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). 

LeadingAge applauds Sen. Sanders and all the co-sponsors for their commitment to support the Older Americans Act programs, and the need to provide adequate appropriations for these services. 

Only 7% of seniors who are eligible for a home-delivered meal are able to receive one, and waiting lists for services are growing longer with the increase in the number of older adults.

You can help see that this legislation is passed by asking your senators to co-sponsor this legislation.