[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OLDER AMERICANS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2016

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Colorado Delegation of the 
U.S. House of Representatives, I am highlighting an issue of importance 
to Colorado and its community of senior citizens. Earlier this year, 
Congress passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 and 
sent it to the President for his signature. This reauthorization 
ensures that a wide range of social and nutritional services directed 
to assist senior citizens is not disrupted. While the reauthorization 
improves the status quo for the state of Colorado, I still have 
concerns about the continuing inequity in funding going to our state in 
comparison to the rest of the country.
  In an attempt to protect certain states with shrinking senior 
populations, in 2006 Congress changed the Older Americans Act funding 
formula to ensure states received a guaranteed funding level. This is 
known as the ``Hold Harmless Funding Formula.'' Due to Colorado's 
growing senior population and this provision from 2006, Colorado (among 
other states) saw massive cuts during sequestration when other states 
did not.
  Instead of allowing the funding to go to states with growing senior 
populations, the hold harmless funding formula in the current 
reauthorization continues the disproportionate trend by preventing 
funding in states with lower senior populations from going to states 
with growing levels of senior citizens. While I am supportive of the 
services provided by the Older Americans Act, Congress' priority should 
be ensuring the stability of the programs upon which millions of 
seniors around the country depend.
  I believe that moving forward, it is imperative that steps are taken 
in future reauthorizations to safeguard services for all seniors 
regardless of their state of residence. It is my hope that as Congress 
continues to address issues that are important to all senior citizens 
we find a path forward to address the issue I've raised today.

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