House Passes Older Americans Reauthorization Bill
Legislation Heads to White House for President’s Signature


For Immediate Release
March 11, 2020
Contact: Joellen Leavelle, jleavelle@n4a.org and 202.872.0888
 
WASHINGTON—Today, capping off nearly a year of bipartisan negotiations, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan, bicameral Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, H.R. 4334, which reauthorizes the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) through FY 2024. The legislation will now move to the President’s desk for signature.
 
“To say that n4a is pleased by the House passage of the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 would be an understatement,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “The bipartisan nature of this reauthorization indicates a strong commitment to our nation’s older adults and supports that help ensure older adults receive in-home personal care, healthy and consistent meals, transportation to critical medical appointments and other engagements, and access to legal services as well as those that prevent elder abuse and reduce social isolation. This reauthorization also supports the needs of unpaid and family caregivers who are playing an increasingly large role in supporting the needs of older adults. The Aging Network and the services that OAA provides to millions of Older Americans each year are especially critical as we grapple with the implications for older adults, family caregivers and the caregiving workforce pertaining to the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate the expediency of Congress in reauthorizing these vital programs amid a national health crisis. The funding increases recommended in this legislation, if implemented by congressional appropriators, show strong federal support for funding levels that will allow Area Agencies on Aging, Title VI Native American aging programs and their partners in the Aging Network to not only continue but expand upon the important work they do to support the needs of older adults as they live in the community, which is where they want to be.”
 
“Our attention now turns to ensuring that the funding increases included in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 are maintained through the appropriations process. The reauthorization includes funding increases of seven percent in year one and six percent in subsequent years, an excellent starting point for appropriators to heed. n4a will be working with congressional appropriators to ensure that these recommended funding levels are at least the first step in increasing the capacity of the Aging Network to respond to the rising demand for OAA programs and services among older adults and caregivers and, as our nation’s population of older adults rises, further increased,” said Markwood.
 


#  #  #


USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!