Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging is committed to staying engaged in, and sharing, the latest public policy news affecting older adults, caregivers and the professionals who care for them.
Check out current policy news below!
Federal Budget Update
Congress came to a final agreement on the FY24 budget, with the president signing the final package of six appropriations bills on March 23. These appropriations bills covered funding for the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor, which includes key aging programs. Two important programs which had been zeroed out for funding by the House were retained at current funding levels, the Senior Community Service Employment Program and Adult Protective Services. OAA Title III-C nutrition programs suffered a $48 million cut to the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) with a small boost to the congregate ($25 million increase) and home delivered meal programs ($15 million).
The focus has now shifted to the FY25 budget, as President Biden released his FY 25 budget on March 11 following his State of the Union address.
Federal Legislative Update
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is due for reauthorization this year, which covers an array of aging programs and services. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is leading the reauthorization process. It held its first OAA hearing on March 7 and gathered feedback from aging organizations through a Request for Information (RFI) on what flexibilities and updates are needed in the OAA for the next five years. Senate HELP Committee staffers held a series of informal, bipartisan listening sessions on the OAA, and invited representatives from aging organizations to provide a statement and participate in discussions. The Elder Justice Coalition and four elder justice groups spoke at the listening session on March 19.
On March 12, The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban affairs held a hearing on Senator Bob Casey’s (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aging, Grandfamilies Act (S.3501) .This bill expands access for benefits and financial resources for grandfamilies and establishes a grant program for states to develop plans on how to provide support and services for grandfamilies.
Senator Casey (D-PA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, introduced a resolution (S.Res.571) to celebrate the retirement and leadership of Edwin Walker, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging for the Administration for Community Living. Edwin retired March 22 and supported the aging network for over 30 years.
The bipartisan Kidney PATIENT Act (H.R.5074) passed the House Ways and Means Committee on March 20. This legislation provides patients with access to oral-only kidney disease therapies through Medicare Part D until 2027. April has been designated as National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month. Read the president’s press statement here.
Opportunities to Comment
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) issued an RFI for recommendations for the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, to make the greatest impact for victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Responses must be submitted electronically by April 24, 2024.
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging at ASA Conference
President and CEO Orion Bell and EJC National Coordinator Bob Blancato participated in the 2024 Panel of Pundits at the recently completed On Aging conference of the American Society on Aging. Moderator Bob Blancato led the bipartisan pundits in spirited conversation about: How will a return to divided government affect policy actions? What progress can we expect on equity issues? How does the upcoming election look? And what will be the impact on older adults? Other panelists included Ramsey Alwin (National Council on Aging), Richard Browdie (Browdie Consulting), Jason Resendez (National Alliance for Caregiving), and Joel White (Horizon Government Affairs).
Washington Update
The Washington Update is produced monthly with our partners at Matz, Blancato & Associates to share the latest information about policy issues impacting older adults and their families. Subscribe here.
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