[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. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2016

  Ms. DeGETTE. 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, Congress in 2006 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. It prevents 
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.

                          ____________________