In a significant move, the Senate has approved a revamped version of the Older Americans Act (OAA), a piece of legislation first established in 1965 during President Lyndon Johnson’s tenure.
This updated bill is now set to be reviewed by the House of Representatives.
Senate Leaders’ Announcement
Key leaders in the Senate, including Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Bill Cassidy, the committee’s ranking member, and co-sponsor Lisa Murkowski, announced this development.
The newly authorized legislation introduces vital measures designed to help older adults maintain their independence and age comfortably in their own homes.
Among its key features are enhanced support for home care workers, funding for essential home renovations, improvements in technology literacy, and expanded access to broadband internet.
Financial Aspects of the Bill
On the financial side, the bill proposes to reauthorize the OAA with a budget increase to $2.76 billion for the fiscal year 2025, marking a 20% rise from the $2.3 billion allocated in fiscal year 2024.
Sanders and Cassidy expressed their pride in the bipartisan collaboration that led to this bill, emphasizing its goal to address the pressing needs of millions of seniors throughout the country.
They highlighted the necessity of tackling critical issues like senior hunger and overall health and well-being for this vulnerable demographic.
Furthermore, they pointed out that the components of the OAA not only provide essential support but also promise cost savings by potentially decreasing the demand for expensive healthcare solutions, which often lead to hospital admissions.
Incorporating Native Elders’ Needs
Significantly, the reauthorized act incorporates many elements from Murkowski’s Native ELDER Act, aimed at improving federal services for Alaska Native, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian elders.
Murkowski noted the importance of stakeholder feedback in shaping these provisions to better serve the comprehensive healthcare needs—physical, social, and emotional—of Native Elders across the nation, particularly in Alaska.
She emphasized the crucial role of supporting these elders to age within their communities, surrounded by loved ones.
Advocates for the legislation praised its passage and called on the House to act promptly.
The Senate passed the measure through unanimous consent, eliminating the need for a formal vote.
William Smith, chairman of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), highlighted that this reauthorization will reshape Title VI programs to align them with tribal priorities.
This includes forming an Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee and enhancing technical assistance for tribes, empowering them to help elders remain in their homes as they grow older.
Source: Housingwire