[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 553 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 553

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should unwaveringly 
        uphold the dignity and independence of older Americans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 15, 2010

 Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should unwaveringly 
        uphold the dignity and independence of older Americans.

Whereas older Americans are a diverse group of men and women who have worked 
        hard throughout their lives to provide for their families and defend the 
        United States during critical periods in history;
Whereas older Americans deserve a dignified, secure, and independent retirement 
        for the years of service they have provided to the United States;
Whereas the percentage of the United States population that is 65 years of age 
        or older is rapidly expanding, particularly veterans;
Whereas many Americans are living longer, working longer, and enjoying 
        healthier, more active lifestyles than past generations;
Whereas older Americans rely heavily on Federal programs such as Social 
        Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and, for veterans, TRICARE, for financial 
        security and high-quality, affordable health care;
Whereas the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) provides 
        federally funded community-based social services and nutritional support 
        programs to more than 10,000,000 older Americans each year;
Whereas notwithstanding Federal programs, older Americans experience greater 
        financial losses during economic downturns and are subject to higher 
        incidences of poverty, hunger, and homelessness;
Whereas older Americans seek to leave a legacy of a strong and stable economy to 
        future generations that maintains a commitment to Social Security, 
        Medicare, Medicaid, and the provision of benefits to veterans;
Whereas older Americans are increasingly the victims of fraud, scams, 
        exploitation, and even physical abuse, actions that threaten the 
        dignity, financial security, and access to quality health care of older 
        Americans; and
Whereas the 111th Congress has passed legislation that--

    (1) protects the dignity of older Americans by strengthening efforts to 
eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid; and

    (2) prevents irresponsible lending practices that target older 
Americans and threaten to erode the resources that older Americans have 
worked their entire lives to save: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should 
unwaveringly uphold the dignity and independence of older Americans by 
supporting efforts that guarantee for the older Americans--
            (1) financial security;
            (2) quality and affordable health and long-term care;
            (3) protection from abuse, scams, and exploitation;
            (4) a strong economy now and for future generations; and
            (5) safe and livable communities with adequate housing and 
        transportation options.
                                 <all>