News
Senate Unanimously Approves Bipartisan OAA Reauthorization
- By: USAging
- On: 07/21/2015 17:21:01
- In: Policy & Advocacy
Last week, the 50th Anniversary week of the Older Americans Act, the Senate unanimously approved S. 192, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize Older Americans Act programs through 2018.
On July 16, 2015, the U.S. Senate passed S. 192, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, signaling its strong support for the vital home and community-based services that the Older Americans Act (OAA) authorizes and funds in communities across the nation.
n4a has worked tirelessly over the past five years with OAA leaders in both parties, their staff, other national advocates and our members to achieve this legislative victory. We applaud the relentless efforts of Senate leaders to work through issues in a bipartisan manner and to ultimately approve a three-year reauthorization bill that will provide stability for OAA programs through 2018.
In a statement about today?s achievement, n4a CEO Sandy Markwood said, "Unanimous approval of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 192) by the Senate is a thrilling milestone achievement that puts us much closer to ensuring that OAA programs will continue to support older adults aging in place and remain living independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. n4a members work on the front lines of aging every day, providing a broad range of services and supports and doing their part to realize the vision of the Older Americans Act in communities all across the country. We couldn?t be more pleased that, during this historic week when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of critical OAA programs, the Senate is endorsing the value of this work. We look forward to working with Members of the House and the President to see OAA reauthorization signed into law."
Earlier this year n4a endorsed the bipartisan bill, and n4a and other advocates will be urging the House to quickly follow the Senate?s lead on reauthorizing programs critical to ensuring the health, safety and independence of over 12 million older adults each year.
For more information about this important legislative milestone please see n4a's press release and Legislative Update (for n4a members only).