Senate Passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Underscores Need for Services that Support Older Adults


For Immediate Release
March 3, 2020
Contact: Joellen Leavelle, jleavelle@n4a.org and 202.872.0888
 
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill, the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, which would reauthorize the federal Older Americans Act through FY 2024. The Older Americans Act, which expired in 2019, provides vital home and community-based services to more than 11 million older adults and caregivers each year. The n4a-endorsed bill will now move to the U.S. House of Representatives where swift passage is expected. 
 
“n4a is thrilled that the Senate has passed the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “This bill is the result of months of negotiations among Senate and House leadership, as well as aging policy advocates and n4a members here in Washington and around the country. For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act has funded services that support older adults and enhance their ability to continue living in the community. These programs reduce the likelihood that older adults will experience hunger, malnutrition, social isolation and elder abuse. The Older Americans Act also supports the continued ability of older adults and their caregivers to access services that provide transportation, caregiver supports, meals, in-home services and so many more programs that are essential to community living.”
 
“We encourage the House to swiftly pass the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, and send the bipartisan, bicameral bill supporting millions of older adults and caregivers to the President’s desk for signature. It is absolutely vital that we maintain our national commitment to advancing policies that enhance the ability of older adults to age with dignity and independence in their homes and communities, which is where they most often want to be,” said Markwood. “Once final passage is achieved, we look forward to working with Congress to ensure that annual appropriations for the OAA reflect at least the increases recommended in Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 and the need that exists for these community-based aging services.”

 

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