Marianne Raimondo Joins CCRI Leadership, Building on RIC Legacy

Published in RINewsToday on February 23, 2026

On February 6, Rhode Island College’s (RIC) business dean gathered with three dozen colleagues, family members, and friends at The Village at Waterman Lake, for a farewell celebration marking the close of one chapter and the beginning of another

In a LinkedIn post, Marianne Raimondo, MS, MSW, LICSW, Ph.D., reflected on that evening, recalling the shared memories, warm embraces, and heartfelt goodbyes.

She announced, “On Monday, I embark on a new journey as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). I am excited to work with the CCRI team and continue to serve the students of our state, offering an outstanding educational experience and a bright future.”

Her message signaled both a fond farewell to RIC and the start of an exciting new phase in her academic career.

Taking on a New Leadership Role

After more than 12 years at the Providence-based college, Raimondo leaves RIC, which enrolls more than 6,500 students, to join CCRI, a community college with enrollment close to 13,000 across 4 campuses in degree and certificate programs, and an additional 8,500 students in workforce and adult education courses.

As CCRI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raimondo will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, collaborating closely with academic deans, administrators, and faculty to oversee educational programs, ensure instructional quality, and advance the college’s strategic and academic master plans.

Just a week into her new role which began Feb. 9, Raimondo has outlined an action-oriented vision for CCRI. When asked how she plans to support student success at the large, multi-campus college, Raimondo said, “I believe in the joy of learning, and we will ensure our teaching is inspiring, motivating, and engaging, fostering a desire for lifelong learning.”

Recognizing that access remains a challenge, she called for programs that better fit students’ schedules, including high-quality online offerings and flexible scheduling. She also emphasized experiential, project-based learning to equip students with real-world skills.

“Higher education must align with the state’s workforce and economic needs to provide students with viable career paths,” Raimondo said, pointing to a growing demand for skills in the areas such as artificial intelligence and the need to design programs responsive to employer needs.

Raimondo also sees an opportunity to integrate her advocacy for older adults into her professional role by creating internships and shaping curriculum around age-related issues.

CCRI’s new chief academic officer stressed her commitment to closing equity gaps to ensure all students have access to education and sustainable career pathways.

“Caring for, supporting, and advocating for older adults remains a passion of mine,” said Raimondo. The commitment is personal as well as professional: she recalled growing up with her grandfather, who lived with her family for more than 20 years. When her grandmother passed away, she said, there was never any question that he would move in with them.

As a medical social worker, she later saw too many older adults without family support, living alone, or lacking the resources they needed to age in place.

“I truly believe the later years of life should be respected and honored, and that older adults deserve the support they need to live well,” she adds.

Asked whether she will continue her advocacy work, Raimondo says she hopes to remain engaged through board service and community initiatives that support older Rhode Islanders.

Leaving a Legacy at RIC

A Greenville resident, Raimondo started her job at RIC as an associate professor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in healthcare management and policy. She was then named dean of the businesss school and served as executive director of the Institute for Education in Healthcare, which she started in 2016.  She oversaw RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, which opened in the fall of 2023.

Throughout her leadership roles, Raimondo worked to modernize curricula, create career ladders and apprenticeship programs for healthcare workers, increase opportunities for expand experiential learning, and build strategic alliances that made it easier for students to get what they needed.

A licensed clinical social worker, Raimondo holds a Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management and a Master of Science in Public Health from UMass Amherst. She earned a Master of Social Work from RIC and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Providence College.

Over the course of her career, she has focused on improving healthcare quality and services for older Rhode Islanders, with particular emphasis on quality management, systems redesign, leadership development, and patient satisfaction.

Before joining RIC, Raimondo served as vice president at Applied Management Systems, a healthcare management consulting firm specializing in quality management, systems redesign, and leadership development. Earlier, she was senior vice president at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Bringing Home the Bacon

A prolific grant writer, Raimondo secured substantial funding to address health workforce development, aging services, and behavioral health integration. Around 2016, as principal investigator, she was awarded a RealJobs Rhode Island Healthcare Workforce Grant to strengthen and expand the state’s healthcare workforce. During that year, she also established RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare (IEH), securing more than $8.8 million in grants to train healthcare professionals in dementia care, aging services, and case management.

In 2017, Raimondo obtained a $121,000 grant from the Point32 Health Foundation to study service gaps affecting older adults living in the community. This funding ultimately led to the development of a strategic plan to build an Age-Friendly Rhode Island.

In late 2019, a $360,000 three-year grant was awarded to expand statewide aging collaborations.

This was followed in 2022 by a $330,000 general operating grant for the 2023–2025 period to address community priorities for older adults.

In February 2026, the Point32 Health Foundation awarded an additional $55,000 to RIC. This latest funding supports technical assistance and strategic leadership, ensuring the initiative continues its equity-focused systems change as the previous multi-year cycle concludes.

Through Raimondo’s efforts, these investments established the College as a permanent regional hub for aging advocacy. As principal investigator, she co-led a statewide coalition to implement strategies supporting older residents who wish to age in place.

In 2021, serving as executive director and principal investigator, Raimondo received a $2.3 million Behavioral Health Care Managers Workforce Pipeline grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant enabled RIC to create a statewide apprenticeship program to train behavioral healthcare managers in partnership with healthcare centers, providing students with hands-on experience and stipends.

In 2022, she was awarded funding through the Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Related Diseases Partnership to strengthen dementia care education and healthcare systems. That same year, Raimondo secured a $2.7 million HRSA Community Health Worker Training grant to expand Rhode Island’s public health workforce by recruiting and training new and existing community health workers.

In 2024, she received a $712,734 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals grant to enhance behavioral health competencies among paraprofessionals and strengthen workforce pathways for entry-level healthcare workers.

Raimondo also served as principal investigator for quality management initiatives under the HIV Ryan White Program, RI EOHHS/Medicaid, Housing Plus, and the Rhode Island Foundation, among others.

Leadership in the Aging Network

Along with birthing Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Raimondo is widely recognized for her leadership in Rhode Island’s aging network. She co-developed the Senior Fellows Program in partnership with Leadership Rhode Island, empowering older adults to serve as informed community advocates.

She also serves on the boards of several aging-focused organizations, including the PACE Organization of Rhode Island and Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

In Aug. 2023, Raimondo received the Providence Business News’ Leaders & Achievers award.

One year later, she would be recognized as Social Worker of the Year – Aging by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

That year, she was also honored as a “Game Changer” at the 2024 Bad*ss Woman of the Year Awards, presented by the Women’s Business Council of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to her field.

Her advocacy also earned her recognition the following year.

In Nov. 2025, Raimondo accepted the Meritorious Program Award from the Rhode Island Public Health Association on behalf of Age-Friendly Rhode Island for its impact on the state’s aging population.

In that same year, Raimondo’s Institute for Education in Healthcare received the Career Pathways Advancement Awards from the Governor’s Workforce Board for its behavioral training programs.

As Raimondo begins her new role at CCRI, her record of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to workforce development and advocacy for older Rhode Islanders positions to shape the next chapter of academic excellence in Rhode Island’s public higher education system.

Raimondo’s Lasting Impact on RIC and Aging Programs

Here are some thoughts from RIC colleagues and aging organizations who worked with Marianne Raimondo and witnessed her leadership and accomplishments firsthand. She has made a significant and lasting impact on programming and on enhancing the quality of life for older Rhode Islanders.

“Dr. Raimondo’s contributions have been monumental. Her trailblazing approach combined academic analysis with ‘boots-on-the-ground’ action. Marianne moved students beyond the classroom to create pioneering programs that strengthened the workforce, developed a practical knowledge base, and empowered the aging community with new tools and resources. SACRI wishes her the very best at CCRI, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

— Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of SACRI, the state’s premier advocacy, policy, and organizing nonprofit dedicated to Rhode Island’s older adults and adults with disabilities.

“I have been privileged to serve for many years alongside Marianne on the LTCCC and the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council. She consistently brings an open, inquisitive mind, a firm grasp of what is required, and a passion for our shared mission.”

— Dr. Chris Gadbois, Secretary of the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council and Chair of the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council.

“Dr. Marianne Raimondo’s contributions to Rhode Island College have been remarkable, as has her leadership in advancing programs focused on older adults. I remember working closely with her as she built the Age-Friendly RI program, which continues to flourish. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and inspired all of us who worked with her. CCRI will surely benefit from her vast academic experience, especially in workforce development. I wish her great success in her new role and hope our paths continue to cross.”

— Maureen Maigret, RN, BS, MPA, Aging Policy Consultant and former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs.

“For many years, my team and I have worked hand in hand with Marianne Raimondo on numerous workforce initiatives. We are grateful for her ongoing partnership and look forward to connecting with her in her new role at CCRI.”

— Rick Brooks, Director of Health Workforce Transformation at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

“Marianne has served on the PACE Board of Directors since 2019. Her enthusiasm for our model of care is evident—whether she is engaging deeply in strategic conversations, buying and delivering personal care items to our participants, referring student interns to PACE, or recruiting new board members. Marianne asks about quality of care and participant satisfaction at board meetings; she ensures participants remain at the center of board-level discussions. Not everyone advocates for older adults—Marianne is a dedicated and caring champion for those who are often forgotten. We are lucky to have her on our board.”
— Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO, PACE-RI.

“Marianne has been an advocate and leader in expanding training opportunities to educate the direct care workforce supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. We look forward to continuing to work with her in this new role to ensure those entering the dementia care field are prepared to serve the needs of the aging community.”

— Margaret Murphy, Senior Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter.

“Since 2016, Dr. Marianne Raimondo has been an indispensable force in advancing the mission and quality of service at Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a local senior living community. As Board Chair, her remarkable impact on our organization and the lives of those we serve is evident. Dr. Raimondo’s leadership has been defined by a tireless commitment to culture change and to elevating the quality of care for our residents. Her oversight and insight have directly led to significant improvements in our operational efficiency and measurable resident outcomes.”
— Chris McGee, Executive Director, Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

“Over the last several years, Meals on Wheels of RI (MOWRI) has expanded our work in the Food is Medicine space, and Marianne’s partnership was integral in developing our service to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and simultaneously experiencing food insecurity. Her collaboration in this effort—now in its second year of implementation, the project has served 2,270 meals—is just one example of her ability to make innovative connections in the healthcare space.”

— Meghan Grady, MOWRI’s Executive Director

“Marianne has long been a steadfast advocate for older adults and for improving the systems that support them. She’s a great strategic thinker, but what I’ve always appreciated is that she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and do the work. I look forward to seeing how she continues to champion this cause at CCRI.”

— Kyle Penrod, M.S., Project Director, Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo is a true leader. I had the pleasure of working beside her for eight years and came to appreciate the seamless way she wove compassion, innovation, and intelligence into her work as a leader and into workforce development efforts in aging and healthcare. Marianne leads by example with determination and dedication.”

 —  Tonya Glantz, MSW, PhD., Executive Director, RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo has left the healthy aging space far better than she found it when she established Age-Friendly Rhode Island in 2016. Over the past decade, she has deeply impacted older Rhode Islanders through collaborations with more than 60 organizations, driving meaningful change in healthcare workforce transformation, older adult mental health, and so much more. Because of her devotion to aging Rhode Islanders, our most marginalized older neighbors are being fed, transported to medical appointments, receiving better health care, and are more engaged in their communities.”

—  Jim Connell, Executive Director, Age-Friendly RI

“Marianne Raimondo has long demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to improving the lives of older Rhode Islanders. During her time at Rhode Island College, she strengthened the connection between higher education and the aging network in ways that were both practical and lasting. Her leadership helped elevate programming that recognized older adults not simply as recipients of services, but as active participants in community life, learning, and contribution.”

— Maria E Cimini, MSW, Director, The Rhode Island office of Healthy Aging

“Marianne’s work has brought the Age Friendly philosophy to Rhode Island, developed critical healthcare workforce training in the areas of dementia, older adult behavioral health and addictions. Her forward-thinking guidance as the Dean of RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies has enabled my own organization to think through the development of new technologies.  Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues older adults face, paired with her caring heart, has created lasting positive change for all Rhode Islanders.”

— Deb Burton, Executive & Gerontologist, RI Elder Info

“As a Rhode Island College alumna, I have been immeasurably proud of everything that Dr. Marianne Raimondo has done to lead at RIC strengthen our state’s health care education and to provide entryways and opportunities for Rhode Islanders who want to enter the health care workforce. As a co-founder of Age-Friendly Rhode Island, she has helped combat ageism and pushed our state to better serve older Rhode Islanders. She brings a vast wealth of knowledge to her new role at CCRI, and I am excited to see both how she continues her longstanding commitment to the aging community and what new projects she takes on.”

— Lt. Governor Sabina Matos 

“Marianne Raimondo is one of the State’s strongest champions for those who may not always be able to advocate for themselves.  I have observed firsthand of her ability to foster change in an impactful way.  She has a great gift of listening to those of us in the trenches to bring the most current concerns and issues facing older adults to platforms that really matter.  The work she has done with providing students with hands on training and opportunities in a variety of areas of healthcare has had a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.  I am grateful to Marianne for planting the seeds for RI cities and towns to look at aging through a broader lens to provide opportunities for our residents to age in place with all the supports they need.”

— Marylou Moran, Director, Leon A. Mathieu/Pawtucket Division of Senior Services

Rhode Island PR Campaign to Reduce Older Adult Overdoses

Published in RINewsToday on February 16, 2026

Four months ago, the State of Rhode Island joined an estimated 5,000 community coalitions across the nation and U.S. territories to participate in the 2025 National Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, organizes this annual federal initiative to highlight the importance of early intervention and community-based prevention strategies.

During November, the State launched its 2025 public awareness campaign titled No Matter Why You Use, aimed at preventing overdose deaths among adults ages 45 to 64 and older. This demographic group faces unique and often complex health risks that increase the likelihood of fatal overdose, making the campaign an important component of the Ocean State’s comprehensive strategy to reduce overdose deaths and improve lives.

The initiative focuses on aging adults who use substances, providing education and resources to help them feel more connected. “It’s also about eliminating stigma and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience,” said Cathy Schultz, Director of the Governor’s Overdose Task Force, in the statement announcing the program.

The statement also included comments from Linda Mahoney of the state’s Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), who emphasized the campaign’s creative approach: “The approach we’ve used is designed to elicit a reaction of ‘this is my struggle,’ ‘that could be my friend,’ or ‘that could be my parent.’ The average person doesn’t typically connect substance use with older adults, but that’s part of the issue we face. If we can raise greater awareness of this reality, we can make meaningful strides in prevention, recovery, and eliminating stigma.”

Maria Cimini, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, highlighting the state’s responsibility as its older adult population grows. “We must see the full humanity of older adults and confront the issues that too often remain hidden. Substance use is not a moral failing—it’s a public health challenge. By meeting people where they are, connecting them to care, and breaking the silence around stigma, we can build stronger, healthier communities for everyone.”

Data Reveals Rising Overdose Risks for Older Rhode Islanders

According to Joseph Wendelken, RI Dept. of Health’s Public Information Officer, national rates of accidental and undetermined fatal overdoses declined from 2023 to 2024 among adults ages 55–64 (from 51.8 to 41.1 per 100,000) and those 65 and older (from 13.4 to 12.5 per 100,000).

Wendelken noted that Rhode Island, however, experienced different trends. During the same period, the overdose rate increased among adults ages 55–64 (from 51.6 to 63.5 per 100,000) but decreased among those 65 and older (from 15.6 to 12.4 per 100,000).

While much of the national conversation about overdose focuses on younger populations, research shows that middle-aged and older Rhode Islanders often struggle with co-existing physical and mental health conditions, chronic pain, isolation, stigma, and limited access to care — factors that can contribute to rising rates of substance use and overdose, says RIDOH.

Among the key statistics driving the public relations campaign are findings from Rhode Island’s 2024 fatal overdose data. Individuals ages 45 to 64 are experiencing accidental drug overdose deaths at significantly higher rates than the statewide average.

Compared to previous years, the Health Dept. says that the rate of accidental drug overdose deaths continues to rise among individuals ages 55 to 64 in Rhode Island. Most overdose deaths in this age group (87%) occurred in private settings, such as homes.

Stimulants — including cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines — contributed to 65% of fatal overdoses in this age group, reflecting a growing public health concern beyond opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl was involved in more than half (51%) of fatal overdoses, underscoring its continued role as a primary driver of overdose deaths. A combination of fentanyl and cocaine contributed to 34% of overdoses in this population.

The greatest proportion of overdoses in this age group occurred among males (69%) and non-Hispanic white individuals (74%).

A Statewide Strategy to Prevent Overdose and Save Lives

“The No Matter Why You Use campaign raises awareness of substance use and overdose risks among middle-aged and older adults, provides clear prevention information, and directs Rhode Islanders to PreventOverdoseRI.org for treatment and recovery resources,” said Wendelken. Educational materials have been distributed to hundreds of community partners, including senior centers, healthcare providers, libraries, senior housing sites, and recovery community centers.

The No Matter Why You Use campaign is being led in partnership by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), BHDDH, OHA, and RIDOH. .

This data-driven campaign supports Gov. Dan McKee’s Overdose Task Force “Roadmap,” which is built on four pillars: strengthening comprehensive prevention; expanding harm reduction and rescue efforts; increasing engagement in treatment; and supporting recovery,” Wendelken explained.

The state initiative is guided by cross-cutting strategies designed to promote an equitable response to the overdose epidemic. These strategies include embedding racial equity across all pillars; strengthening governance and community engagement; expanding data capacity and surveillance; and addressing social determinants of health throughout each pillar.

According to Wendelken, this evidence-informed approach aligns with Rhode Island’s broader overdose prevention strategy and ongoing efforts to save lives.

The state partnered with RDW Group on the No Matter Why You Use campaign. The initiative is based on formative research that included in-depth interviews with subject-matter experts and individuals with lived experience — including people in recovery, counselors, social workers, community advocates, and physicians. These authentic voices helped shape the campaign’s messaging, which emphasizes the impact of stigma, hopelessness, and emotional distress as common triggers for substance use among aging adults who may feel isolated or disconnected.

The campaign’s powerful, portrait-style imagery and first-person messaging acknowledge that people use substances for complex reasons — including isolation, pain, trauma, anxiety, and depression — while centering compassion at its core: No matter why you use, your life matters. Hope and help are here, adds RIDOH.

You can find stories of local Rhode Islanders sharing their powerful recovery stories on the RIDOH (go to https://pori.soapboxx.com).

Designed to help individuals feel safe, seen, and supported, the campaign connects Rhode Islanders to local treatment, recovery, and harm reduction resources at PreventOverdoseRI.org. Its media strategy uses data-driven insights from fatal overdose heat maps to target placements for aging adult audiences. Outreach includes digital advertising on social media, website and app display ads, local and streaming radio spots, and advertisements on gasoline pump televisions.

RIDOH notes that The No Matter Why You Use campaign also includes grassroots outreach to more than 250 organizations statewide. Its launch is part of a comprehensive and ongoing effort by Rhode Island to address substance use and related public health crises.

From Crisis to Recovery

The state’s new No Matter Why You Use campaign, aimed at reducing overdose deaths and addressing stigma among older adults, marks an important first step in combating substance use disorder, says Diane Dufresne, Director of the Pawtucket Prevention Coalition. The coalition is a community organization dedicated to addressing social issues such as substance use, poverty, and homelessness.

Dufresne emphasizes the importance of using precise, nonjudgmental language like “substance use disorder” to shape public perception and support recovery.

“The state’s campaign sloganis powerful because it centers compassion over judgment and makes one thing clear: every life is worth saving,” says Dufresne, who holds a degree in counseling and has been a certified prevention specialist for five years. She also brings more than 40 years of experience as a registered nurse, this extensive clinical background strengthening  her work in substance use prevention and advocacy.

Drawing on her frontline experience, Dufresne agrees with the state’s assessment that substance use and overdose rates are rising among adults age 45 and older. She attributes this trend in part to limited harm-reduction education available to this generation.

“Many older adults developed addictions through legitimate opioid prescriptions and now face complex health challenges, including dangerous interactions with medications prescribed for coexisting conditions,” she explains.

Dufresne notes that shame and stigma are primary drivers of isolation among older adults, increasing the risk of fatal overdoses. “Older adults are more likely to use substances alone in private settings. “Younger people have received more harm-reduction education and better understand the risks of using alone,” she says.

Dufresne also highlights significant barriers to treatment, including transportation challenges, insurance limitations, technology gaps, and reduced mobility. Addressing these obstacles, she says, will require increased state funding and more targeted outreach efforts.

“Increased funding is necessary for community organizations to expand anti-stigma education, provide training opportunities, and connect older adults with treatment and recovery services,” Dufresne says.

The No Matter Why You Use campaign acknowledges the unique challenges facing this demographic, including limited exposure to modern harm-reduction practices, a higher likelihood of addiction stemming from prescribed opioids, and increased social isolation.

Dufresne advocates pairing Narcan distribution with anti-stigma education and recommends practical strategies to reach isolated seniors.

“Effective outreach should include combined Narcan and anti-stigma training in senior housing and community centers, along with door hangers that provide service information for individuals in private residences,” she says.

Above all, Dufresne stresses that saving lives must remain the priority.

“The act of saving a life should never be influenced by judgments about a person’s history of addiction or previous overdoses,” she says.

Bipartisan Push to Restore House Permanent Select Committee on Aging

Published in RINewsToday on February 9, 2026

According to Meals on Wheels America, every day, 12,000 Americans turn 60. By the end of this decade, one in four Americans will be over 60—an irreversible and historic change in population.  Yet even as the nation ages, older Americans remain without a permanent seat at the House legislative table to shape aging policy.

In 1993, during the 103rd Congress, the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging (HSCoA) was dismantled as part of a budget-cutting push by House Democratic leadership, which stripped $1.5 million from its funding. From 1974 to 1993, the committee had served as Congress’s primary forum for aging issues, initially with 35 members and ultimately expanding to 65.

Looking back, the HSCoA had handled a heavy workload, carefully scheduling hearings and issuing a steady stream of reports.  In a March 31, 1993 St. Petersburg Times article, Staff Director Brian Lutz of the Subcommittee on Retirement Income and Employment reported that “during its 18 years of existence, the House Aging Committee had been responsible for about 1,000 hearings and reports.”

Sixth Time Could Be the Charm

Since its elimination, House lawmakers have made four attempts to reestablish the committee. Former Rep. David Cicilline first introduced a resolution during the 114th Congress, with efforts continuing through the 117th. In the 118th Congress, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) picked up the baton and revived the initiative. On January 21, 2026, he once again introduced House Resolution 1013 to restore the panel—this time with bipartisan support, including original cosponsor Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). At press time, the resolution had been referred to the House Committee on Rules for markup prior to consideration by the full House. No Senate action is required.

More than 30 years later, as the older population surges, Congress’s failure to reinstate a dedicated aging committee is no longer merely an oversight—it is an increasingly costly mistake.

“It is about time — or really past time – for the House to re-establish the HSCoA,” says Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), who served as staff director of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in the late 1980s.

Richtman says that a re-established HCoA would be of tremendous value to older Americans, because it could conduct investigations and develop legislation for the committees of jurisdiction in the House to take up, as the Senate committee historically has done. “We need an HSCoA in the House because its full-time job would be to safeguard the interests of seniors. There is no other House committee that can do that.”

Richtman notes that, without an HSCoA, it can be challenging for other House committees to fully review senior-related issues “that cross jurisdictional lines or involve complex interactions of a wide range of disciplines.”

Opponents argue that eliminating the HSCoA reduced “wasteful” spending, noting that 12 standing committees already have jurisdiction over aging-related issues. Advocates counter that these committees lack the time, staffing, and singular focus needed to examine aging issues comprehensively, as the select committee once did.

“Older Americans are an important and growing part of our population, and they deserve a seat at the table when Congress considers issues that directly affect their lives,” said Rep. Magaziner. “Protecting Social Security and Medicare, strengthening housing stability, and lowering everyday costs—including prescription drugs—highlight the need for a dedicated committee focused on improving seniors’ quality of life.”

“I am proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to reestablish the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging so we can better deliver for older Americans nationwide,” he added. “This committee would bring members of Congress together for meaningful work on the challenges and opportunities that come with aging, and I remain committed to working across the aisle to advance this effort.”

Magaziner has acknowledged entrenched opposition from senior committee leaders of both parties who are reluctant to cede jurisdiction. Nevertheless, he remains committed. “I will continue working to ensure older Americans have the focused advocacy they deserve in Congress,” he pledged.

Magaziner’s resolution has been endorsed by the Legislative Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a national coalition of advocacy groups currently chaired by Richtman and NCPSSM. “The Select Committee would have an opportunity to more fully explore a range of issues and innovations that cross jurisdictional lines, while holding field hearings, engaging communities, and promoting understanding and dialogue,” said LCAO in a letter supporting the resolution.

An Easy Fix

According to the Congressional Research Service, creating a temporary or permanent select committee requires only a simple resolution establishing its purpose, defining membership, and outlining responsibilities. Funding for staff salaries and operational expenses are authorized through the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

Magaziner’s  203-word resolution, amends House rules to establish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. The committee, having no legislative authority, would be charged with conducting comprehensive studies of aging issues—including income, poverty, housing, health, employment, education, recreation, and long-term care—to inform legislation considered by standing committees. It would also encourage public and private programs that support older Americans’ participation in national life, coordinate governmental and private initiatives, and review recommendations from the President or the White House Conference on Aging.

Aging policy touches nearly every aspect of American life, yet it does not fall neatly within the jurisdiction of any single standing committee. Depending on the legislative, five to seven standing committees may draft a bill affecting older Americans. Without an HSCoA, pressing aging issues may be ignored.  A focused  committee would bring together Republican and Democratic lawmakers from multiple committees to closely comprehensively examine legislative proposals, both transparently, and responsibly.

While standing committees draft legislation, the HSCoA would serve a distinct but equally vital role—providing oversight, public education, and keeping the spotlight on aging issues. Key priorities include ensuring the solvency of Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, supporting family caregivers, combating elder fraud, and addressing affordable housing, healthcare access, and social isolation.

For more than 60 years, the Senate has recognized the value of its Special Committee on Aging. The House once did as well—producing lasting, bipartisan results. The People’s House should reclaim that leadership, particularly as older Americans face rising costs, employment barriers, and growing loneliness.

Capitol Veterans Speak Out to Bring Back HSCoA

According to Bob Weiner, former HSCoA chief of staff director during the tenure of the late Rep. Claude Pepper (D-FL) his tenure as select committee chair, the legislative panel elevated aging issues that otherwise struggled to gain sustained attention in Congress. “The bill stopping end to mandatory retirement would never have happened,” says Weiner who was a confidant of Chairman Pepper.

He recalls how it unfolded: “Chair Pepper and the committee got the President and Congress to abolish age-based discrimination in employment and mandatory retirement. President Carter invited the entire committee to the White House and later signed the bill with a powerful statement.”

“Pepper even went to the Bush and Reagan administrations and said, ‘Over my dead body’ would Social Security be cut or privatized,” Weiner added.

If reestablished today, Weiner believes the committee should draw lessons from its past. “We need full-scale investigations into fraud and scams, along with strong protections for Social Security and the Older Americans Act,” he said. He also argues the committee could play a critical oversight role in accelerating research into Alzheimer’s disease. “Seniors are justifiably terrified of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Advances in biological treatments may offer hope for prevention and reversal.”

Responding to standing committee concerns about jurisdiction, redundancy, and budgetary impact, Weiner dismisses claims of duplication. “The Aging Committee uniquely focused on aging priorities. That focus is sadly missing today,” he said.

Weiner also urged Rep. Magaziner to visibly demonstrate his commitment to recreating the House Aging Committee. “If he talks it up around the House floor like Pepper did, he’ll earn goodwill and support from members of both parties,” he said. “It is crucial that House Res. 1013 pass the Rules Committee. Nothing meaningful on aging will happen without dedicated congressional leadership.”

Momentum or Missed Opportunity

With the midterm elections just 266 days away, and now that Rep. Magaziner has secured support from a Republican lawmaker, he must continue building bipartisan momentum. None of the previous five attempts to restore the House Aging Committee attracted Republican cosponsors.

In the 119th Congress, Magaziner should seek endorsement from the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Co-Chairs Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03).  Aging policy should not be considered a partisan issue but a bipartisan one.

It would also be extremely helpful for Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar to reach out to the Republican House Caucus, especially to the Florida Congressional Delegation (20 Republicans and 8 Democrat) to become cosponsors of H. Res. 1013, honoring the legacy of the late Rep. Claude Pepper, Florida’s most prominent chair of the House Select Committee on Aging.

“What made the House Aging Committee truly influential was Claude Pepper’s leadership. Others chaired the committee before and after him and did good work, but none brought national attention to aging issues the way Pepper did. Even today, members of Congress still say, ‘We need another Claude Pepper,’  says Thomas Spulak, president of the Claude Pepper Foundation and former chief council when Pepper chaired the House Rules Committee.

“While that will never happen, it would take someone with a rare combination of commitment, visibility, empathy, and knowledge to restore that level of importance to an aging committee, this is exactly why resolutions like this one matter—to remind us of what effective leadership on aging once looked like, and what it could look like again,”  Spulak observed.

The Claude Pepper Foundation should engage these lawmakers to encourage their active involvement in restoring the committee. In addition, the Claude Pepper Foundation should educate lawmakers on the positive benefits of restoring the committee. According to the Foundation’s core mission is to promote policies and programs that improve health, expand economic opportunity, and advance social justice for all Americans—especially older adults. It also seeks to provide policymakers and the public with research and information on these issues, and to encourage actions that enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

Ageism by Omission

“Ageism is as much about what you don’t do and what you do the failure to establish the HSCOA is one obvious example  Why is a HSCOA vitally needed. To help avert Possible major cuts in Social Security in as soon as 7 years. Getting a family caregiver tax credit passed. Renewing the Older Americans Act This House has done so little for older adults. Passing the Magaziner resolution would go a long way to improve on this sad record,”  adds a Bob Blancato, a staff person serving the committee from 1978 to 1993 and now president of Matz, Blancato and Associates,