[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   SUPPORTING THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring your 
attention to an issue important to the American people, and especially 
to the people of my district in Florida. The Older Americans Act 
authorization expired in 1995, and we are on the cusp of reauthorizing 
this program and improving the services offered to our seniors.
  This act provides important programs such as Meals-on-Wheels, in-home 
services for elderly Americans, and services for residents of long-term 
care facilities. I have personally helped deliver meals to homebound 
seniors with the Manatee County Meals on Wheels. I recognize the 
importance of programs like these to assist our older population, and I 
will not turn my back on America's seniors.
  I continue to support the programs within this act, and believe that 
this Nation has a responsibility to care for our elderly population. 
However, last year, I was not supportive of H.R. 782, which would 
reauthorize the Older Americans Act because the funding did not 
accurately account for the concentration of seniors in States such as 
Arizona, California, Texas, and my home State of Florida. For example, 
under the present formula, Florida is slated to lose $40 million over 5 
years. The formula for allocation of funds relies on outdated census 
figures from 1987. We all know people are moving south. It makes no 
sense that we are providing services and dollars in the year 2000, 
based on where seniors lived 13 years ago. We need to focus on how we 
can best provide support to the elderly population, and that includes 
accurately assessing the needs of each State. As chairman of the Census 
Subcommittee, I know we are spending almost $6 billion this year to 
provide accurate numbers. Why get these numbers if we are not using 
them?
  Although the House version of the Older Americans Act has some flaws, 
a recent bipartisan agreement in the Senate reformulates the funds 
allotted to State based upon their senior population in 2000. I believe 
this is our chance to move forward with legislation and be more 
responsive to seniors in our country. I urge the House to move toward 
helping our seniors and to consider and pass the Older Americans Act as 
agreed upon in the Senate.

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