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Legislative Update
Monday, July 20, 2015 
Older Americans Act Reauthorization Passes Senate

Last week, the bipartisan Older Americans Act re-authorization (S. 192) passed the Senate.  AJFCA and JFNA have been working toward re-authorization for many years, and this bipartisan action brings us one step closer to re-authorization.  Notably, the bill includes language requiring the Assistant Secretary for Aging to consult with organizations serving Holocaust survivors and issue guidance to states and service providers on conducting outreach to this vulnerable population and serving their unique needs.  

 

AJFCA thanks the Senate for recognizing the importance of home and community based services for older adults.  In particular, we thank Senator Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Kirk (R-IL) for insisting that the needs of Holocaust survivors be recognized in the OAA.

 

Thank you for continuously advocating for the Older Americans Act.  Please contact your Senators and thank them for supporting the Older Americans Act.  

 

Now it is time for the House to act.  Please urge your Representatives to pass the bipartisan Senate-passed OAA without delay.

 


 

For questions, please contact Shelley Rood.

 

 

Statement from Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee on Senate passage of Older Americans Act Re-authorization

 

We applaud the Senate for passing the Older Americans Act and advancing it one major step toward re-authorization. This critical legislation, which was signed into law 50 years ago this week, provides high-quality, individualized services that improve the health, safety, and well-being of nearly 12 million older adults and one million family caregivers. It is key to enabling older adults to live their lives with dignity and respect in the homes and communities they choose.

 

Earlier this week at the White House Conference on Aging, we talked about the transformation of aging in America and the engagement of all sectors of society in the benefits and promise of longevity. Re-authorization of the Older Americans Act is an important step in achieving the goals we set.