III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 553 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

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.