Senator Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation to reauthorize and expand the Older Americans Act, which provides federal funding for programs that support seniors across the country.
Cosponsored by 14 Senators, the bill (S. 2562) combines the priorities of 10 previously introduced Senate bills. Some of the new programs not included in the original Older Americans Act (OAA) include increasing assistance for veterans, Holocaust survivors and LGBT seniors, expanding access to fall prevention programs, and providing support for family caregivers. The bill would also strengthen efforts to prevent elder abuse, local ombudsman programs, and nutrition programs like meals on wheels.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, discussed the Older Americans Act on the floor of the Senate. He expressed his disappointment that the Older Americans Act has not been reauthorized in this session and emphasized that reauthorizing the Older Americans Act should be a priority of the new congress, if his bill does not pass before the end of the session. He pointed out that this legislation has traditionally received bipartisan support because it provides valuable services to older adults and saves the government money in the long run. “The Older American Act was the first initiative introduced by the federal government to help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities…” said Senator Bernie Sanders. “Investing in the Older Americans Act is not only the right thing to do, it is not only the humane thing to do in terms of taking care of the most vulnerable and fragile people in our society, it also makes good financial sense for our country.”
Read the full bill and watch Senator Sanders remarks about the Older Americans Act on the Senate floor:
Suggested
Articles:
