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House Passes Bill to Improve Support for Older Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2016
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) today released the following statements after the House passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 192), a bill that strengthens support services for seniors and their caregivers:
 
“Helping our country’s seniors enjoy their independence and stay healthy and active as they age is an important commitment we all share,” Chairman Kline said. “This bill ensures we’re not only honoring that commitment, but that we’re honoring it well. It makes improvements that will strengthen current protections and streamline services to better support the changing senior population. I want to thank Representatives Curbelo, Foxx, Bonamici, and Hinojosa for their leadership on this issue and for helping us renew and improve upon our commitment to America’s seniors.”
 
“For years, the Older Americans Act has been a vital resource for America’s seniors, and this bill guarantees it will remain one for years to come,” Rep. Curbelo said. “Like the original law, this bill provides state and local leaders the flexibility they need to serve the unique needs of seniors in their communities. It also makes a number of commonsense changes that will help better protect seniors from abuse and neglect, improve their health and wellbeing, and live out their years as actively and independently as possible.”
 
First enacted in 1965, the Older Americans Act established and has sustained a number of social services and programs, including nutrition services, family caregiver support, community service employment, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and elder abuse prevention services. S. 192 reauthorizes programs through 2019 and strengthens the law by:
  • Providing better protection for vulnerable elders;
     
  • Streamlining programs and improving program administration;
     
  • Promoting the delivery of evidence-based programs;
     
  • Improving nutrition services programs; and
     
  • Aligning senior employment services with the workforce development system.

 
To learn more about the Older Americans Act, click here.

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