[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2194-S2195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2016
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, recently the Senate marked a
significant achievement--the final passage of the bipartisan
reauthorization of the Older Americans Act--and now the President has
signed it into law.
This act provides seniors access to home-delivered meals, like Meals
on Wheels; seniors centers; transportation, like rides to the senior
center and the grocery store; and meals served at senior centers and
churches. Other services include caregiver support, preventive health
services, job training and support, elder abuse prevention, and the
long-term care ombudsman.
In 2012, Tennessee served 2.4 million meals to seniors through Older
Americans Act programs.
This reauthorization also will make a few important improvements.
One, it will provide States, area agencies on aging, and service
providers with information and technical assistance in collaboration
with relevant Federal agencies, on providing efficient, person-centered
transportation services, including across geographic boundaries.
That means that when a senior who lives Kentucky and wants to come
see her doctor just over the border in Tennessee, it is easier for her
to get that ride.
Two, this bill addresses the tragic issue of elder abuse with
provisions for the prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It
bolsters services that address elder justice and exploitation of older
individuals, including financial exploitation, which can be devastating
to a senior's ability to stay independent and in his own home.
Three, this bill ensures States receive funding based on their senior
population. Senator Richard Burr worked hard with me on this, and we
have him to thank for this update.
This bill is the product of several years of bipartisan collaboration
and compromise. This legislation protects and strengthens the
underlying law's many vital programs. I look forward to seeing S. 192
signed into law, and now I would like to yield to my colleague, Senator
Burr.
Mr. BURR. I would also like to thank my colleagues, particularly
Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and Senator Sanders, for
their partnership in working with me to reauthorize the Older Americans
Act. I am pleased that our efforts have resulted in sending a strong
reauthorization of the Older Americans Act to the President's desk. The
reauthorization of these critical support programs for seniors has been
a process that each of us has been actively involved in over the last
few years, and I am proud to see this bipartisan piece of legislation
on its way to becoming law.
I want to focus on a key aspect of this reauthorization for my
constituents--the change in the funding formula. In 2010, the
Government Accountability Office, GAO, determined that the formula
responsible for the allocation of State funding in the OAA was broken.
It took us 6 years to act, and I am pleased to see this important
change included in the OAA reauthorization, allowing funds to be
directed where they are most needed. This is a commonsense, but
critical change for better ensuring that the dollars are following the
needs.
This change is especially important for North Carolina's seniors. The
change in the formula calculation will increase resources for these
programs in North Carolina and other States where seniors have moved
since the last reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, a decade
ago. As more and more seniors make North Carolina their home, this will
help ensure that resources are being more fairly allocated based on the
needs of seniors today and in the future, which is a key aspect of
helping some of our most vulnerable seniors age with the dignity and
respect they deserve.
I often hear from my constituents--area agencies on aging, PACE
program directors, and North Carolinians themselves--about the benefits
that come from the programs authorized by the Older Americans Act. The
continuation of these programs, which provide meals, caregiver
supports, and help seniors stay in the comfort of their homes and local
communities longer positively impacts the lives of millions of seniors
every day. With the passage of this legislation, almost 2 million North
Carolina seniors may be able to benefit from State and local programs
that provide needed support for them and their families. I am proud to
have fought on behalf of North Carolina's seniors for the improvements
reflected in this reauthorization bill, and I look forward to
continuing to work to improve the quality of life for my constituents.
Mr. ALEXANDER. In addition to providing grants to States for senior
social and nutrition services, this reauthorization also aims to
continue protecting vulnerable elders from abuse by ensuring access to
abuse screening and prevention through efforts like the Senior Medicare
Patrol, SMP, program, which helps train seniors to recognize and
protect themselves from Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The most recent
inspector general report noted that the program had educated over 3.5
million beneficiaries, reached 27 million people, and saved about $106
million.
The programs authorized by this law provide critical services to help
Americans live with dignity well into their later years, but these
services also provide a significant return on investment for taxpayers.
They help decrease the increasing cost pressures on Medicare and
Medicaid. These programs that help seniors stay healthy, independent,
and living
[[Page S2195]]
in their own homes also are helping seniors stay where they want to
be--and that is less expensive for taxpayers than if these seniors were
instead in nursing homes.
Mr. ENZI. I would also like to highlight the National Resource Center
for Women and Retirement as a highly successful program run by the
Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement--known to most as ``WISER''--
a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the security of women's
retirement income through outreach, partnerships, and policy
development. The staff and programs at WISER have provided important
and effective trainings and education in my home State of Wyoming, as
well as around the country.
Mr. ALEXANDER. For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act has
been effective in large part because these successful programs are
funded through flexible grants to States. States know best what
services will be most beneficial for their residents to live healthier,
more independent lives as they age.
I want to thank Senator Murray for working with me on this bill in
our committee.
I want to thank Senator Collins, whose leadership on the Special
Committee on Aging was instrumental. Her determination to help seniors
stay home and independent helped us get this bill through the full
Senate.
I want to thank Senator Burr for his determination to get a result on
the funding issue.
Finally, I would like to thank Senator Sanders for his tireless work
on this issue and on this bill.
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