The Rhode Island Congressman Who Changed Aging in America

 Published in RINewsToday on June 1, 2026

Over three weeks ago, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) organized a statewide gathering at the historic Rhode Island State House to observe this year’s Older Americans Month (OAM). The event brought together more than 135 attendees, including seniors, aging advocates, legislators, and state officials, filling the room to capacity.

During the 74-minute program, speakers addressed topics such as combating social isolation, increasing federal funding for community-based aging services, alerting attendees to financial scams targeting seniors, and discussing new models for elder care and housing. The event concluded with a reading of a gubernatorial proclamation honoring the Older Americans Act (OAA) and calling on Rhode Island lawmakers to support policies for the growing older adult community.

The event also focused on promoting the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that administers the OAA, and this year’s OAM theme: “Champion Your Health.” This theme encourages prevention, wellness, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility as key elements of healthy aging.

At the event, SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa announced that the Rhode Island State House Dome would be illuminated from May 13–16 as a tribute to Older Americans Month.

Beyond marking the month, this year’s celebration also centered on the legacy of former Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-RI), the primary sponsor of the legislation (Public Law 89-73) that established the Older Americans Act (OAA). He lived on a small family farm in the village of Harmony (part of Gloucester), Rhode Island.

A Rhode Island Congressman’s Legacy Recognized

Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Public Health,” Fogarty became one of the most powerful House lawmakers. He served in Congress from 1941 until his death in 1967. A former bricklayer and president of Bricklayers Union No. 1 of Rhode Island, he chaired the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare. He used his legislative skills to expand the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and transform federal healthcare funding. He was also instrumental in establishing the White House Conference on Aging and the OAA.

At SACRI’s May 6 event, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos praised Fogarty for his major impact on federal aging policy. “Older Americans Month gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to older adult Rhode Islanders. It is a true honor to join SACRI in celebrating the enduring legacy of Congressman John Fogarty, whose vision helped shape aging policy for generations. Today, we build on that legacy by continuing to champion the dignity, well-being, and contributions of every older Rhode Islander,” says the Lt. Governor.

SACRI’s Costa stated, “Congressman Fogarty has left a legacy on which so much progress has flowed. His quiet and powerful work is a reminder that RI is a leader in empowering older adults.”

Former Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty came to share personal memories of Fogarty, his uncle. He stressed that his uncle’s work on the OAA was driven by a simple philosophy: the government’s role was to help people. His success was built on personal connections with constituents in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.

“As Rhode Island’s population ages rapidly, my late uncle, Rep. John E. Fogarty, remains a powerful example of how we can protect the dignity and independence of older Rhode Islanders. The Older Americans Act, which he championed, continues to support vital programs for seniors across Rhode Island and the nation, says the former Lt. Gov.

Fogarty, a former Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs within the Department of Human Services from 2015 to 2018, added, “The Congressman’s legacy shaped my own work as Director of the Division of Elderly Affairs, now the Office of Healthy Aging. “I have focused on advancing efforts to empower and serve older adults,” he says.

Seven years before the 1965 Older Americans Act (OAA), Fogarty introduced legislation (H.R. 9822) to create the White House Conference on Aging. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law (Public Law 85-908) on September 2, 1958. The law established a national forum held every 10 years to address the challenges facing older Americans. The forum also developed policy recommendations to improve their economic security.

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the 1961 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) exposed a broken, patchwork system of elder care. It served as the blueprint for the 1965 Older Americans Act. The conference pushed Congress to move away from old “welfare” models and build a community-focused support network for all older adults. In the end, this paved the way for the creation of the Administration on Aging.

Two Times is the Charm

“According to an online article, “AARP Fights for Older Americans Act in 1965,” published on  Sept. 28, 2024, on AARP’s website, the organization played a key role in pushing for the passage of Fogarty’s OAA legislative proposal.  Building support for the Congressional passage of the OAA became AARP’s key legislative priority from 1961 to 1965, as noted.  In that article, Ernest Gidding, AARP’s legislative representative, said, “The bill meets the major organizational recommendations of the WHCoA and overcomes the present welfare stigma of aging.”

However, Fogarty and Sen. Patrick V. McNamara (D-MI) failed to pass their initial OAA proposal in both chambers on the first try.  Lawmakers had begun efforts to pass their legislative proposals (H.R. 7957/S. 2000) in 1963. While this initial attempt stalled and the legislative proposal died in session, it got the whole country talking about how we treat older Americans, planting the seeds for a major comeback.

Two years later, Fogarty would try again. This time, the bill gained unstoppable momentum. During the 89th Congress, logs show the proposal cleared the House Committee on Education and Labor on March 9, 1965, and passed the House on March 31 by an overwhelming 395-to-1 vote. After the Senate passed it on May 27 and the House accepted a minor Senate amendment on July 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Public Law 89-73 on July 14, 1965, in the White House Rose Garden, permanently changing how the nation funds and delivers support to older Americans.

“The OAA is to my mind one of the most significant laws ever passed by Congress,” said William C. “Bill Fitch,” AARP Executive Director from 1959 to 1967, in AARP’s online article.

At the signing, President Johnson stated:  “The Older Americans Act clearly affirms our Nation’s sense of responsibility toward the well-being of all of our older citizens. But even more, the results of this act will help us expand our opportunities to enrich the lives of all our citizens in this country, now and in the years to come.”

The President added: “This legislation is really the seed-corn that provides an orderly, intelligent, and constructive program to help us meet the new dimensions of responsibilities which lie ahead in the remaining years of this century.”

A Final Note…

 According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Fogarty spent 26 years in Congress, spanning portions of 14 Congresses from the 77th to the 90th, fighting for causes that improved the lives of millions of Americans. The Rhode Island Congressman was a strong believer in the power of government to advance health, education, and opportunity. He helped secure federal funding for medical research, health care, libraries, and programs serving older adults and people with disabilities.

 Some of Fogarty’s most lasting legislative achievements were the Hill-Fogarty “Health for Peace” initiative, which expanded international medical research and training, and the Library Services Act, which provided federal support to rural libraries. He also helped pass important laws that improved research and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as educational opportunities for blind and deaf Americans. According to records from the National Institutes of Health and Congress, these efforts continued to shape public policy long after Fogarty left office and are still part of his legacy.

Fogarty also spent years introducing the bills that led to the creation of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1965, noted Thomas J. McAndrew, Esq., of Thomas J. McAndrew & Associates.

Building on Fogarty’s legislative achievements, McAndrew, serving as treasurer of the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, also recalls that his father-in-law was honored with the National Heart of the Year Award on Feb. 3, 1966 – less than a year before he would die of a heart attack on Jan. 10, 1967 in his Washington, D.C. office at the age of 53.  

McAndrew calls Fogarty “Everybody’s Congressman” in Rhode Island and points out that he was one of the state’s most important legislators in Congress. He also mentions his skill in influencing colleagues and gaining support for his legislative work.

He recalls that the Congressman rarely issued press releases or promoted himself, instead dedicating his attention to issues that benefited the American people and humanity.

McAndrew asks: “Where have these wonderful public servants gone?”

For more details about the John E. Fogarty Foundation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rhode Island, call 401-274-3279 or visit the website, http://www.fogartyfoundation.org.

To watch SARCI’s State House OAA event, go to The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI – Older Americans Month: 5-6-2026

To view votes from SARCI’s Older Americans Month celebration, go to Out and About in RI: SACRI’s Celebration of Older Americans Month (photos)

To see a Drone’s view of the lighted State Capitol, go to State House Senior Coalition Final.mp4 – Google Drive

AI Data Centers Spark Utility-Cost Concerns for Older Rate Payers

Published in RINewsToday on May 25, 2026

The Industrial Revolution began at Slater Mill in Pawtucket and transformed the economy through machine-powered manufacturing. Now, 260 years later, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the economy again as computers take on more jobs and reshape industries.

Artificial Intelligence may feel distant from the daily lives of many older Rhode Islanders, but the electric bills needed to power it could become personal. As AI data centers expand across the country, consumer advocates and lawmakers are asking whether residential rate payers — including seniors on fixed incomes — could end up subsidizing the energy infrastructure needed by some of the world’s largest technology companies.

For older adults living on Social Security, pensions, or other fixed incomes, even modest increases in electric bills can mean tradeoffs with food, medication, transportation, or home maintenance.

AI data centers have servers and special computer hardware that run AI systems. Thousands of advanced chips quickly process data to train and run AI models for tasks such as analytics, image generation, and chatbots. Large data centers consume significant amounts of electricity and require advanced cooling systems. This has led to concerns about higher electricity bills, increased water use, and environmental impacts.

The rapid growth of AI has accelerated investment by major technology companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. By March 2026, Consumer Reports noted that there were 3,069 data centers across the country, with 1,489 more planned or under construction. Rhode Island has seven data centers.

Some researchers say that AI is driving up electricity demand. A report from Bloom Energy in January 2026 predicts that U.S. data centers will use between 80 and 150 gigawatts of energy, almost doubling from 2025 to 2028.

Opposition Builds Against AI Data Center Projects

Gallup Poll’s first survey on data center construction, released on May 13, 2026, found that many Americans are worried about AI data centers being built in their communities. People are concerned about the use of large areas of land and the possible environmental, economic, and social effects. Seven out of ten people surveyed are against these projects in their area, and almost half (48%) are strongly opposed. Only about a quarter support the centers, and just 7% are strongly in favor, notes Jeffrey M. Jones, the author of the Gallup Poll report.

About one in five people who oppose data centers worry about how they might affect daily life. Their concerns include increased noise, air and water pollution, heavier traffic, and the desire to use the land for something else. Some also mention higher utility bills, rising living costs, and the possible need for subsidies.

“Most of the remaining opposition stems from general or specific concerns about Artificial Intelligence,” notes Jones.

Even though many people have concerns, the survey shows that supporters of AI data centers view the situation differently. Most supporters point to potential economic benefits, such as new jobs, increased tax revenue, and improved infrastructure as the main positives.

When it comes to politics, the Gallup poll found that most people—whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent—do not want a data center built near their homes. The survey notes that Democrats are more likely than Republicans to be strongly opposed (56% compared to 39%), with independents in the middle at 48%.

Older Ratepayers Push Back Against Higher Utility Rates

As AI data centers grow rapidly, AARP in Washington, DC, is monitoring rising power demand and the associated costs. Approximately 40 states have considered legislative or regulatory action related to the impact of large data centers on utility costs, grid reliability, or water use.

AARP’s 2025 report, ‘Powering AI, Draining Wallets: Consumers Could Be at Risk for Steep Electric Bills,’ was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago and sampled U.S. households aged 50+. Survey results show that 69% of people aged 50 and over have seen their electric bills go up in the past year, and one in four say the increase is significant. 78% are worried about rising electricity costs, underscoring the financial stress many older adults feel.

75% of respondents call on state leaders to ensure that regular customers do not have to pay for the electricity used by new data centers. While 78% think data centers should cover their own utility costs rather than receive government assistance, just  3% believe ratepayers should pay.

Both Democrats (76%) and Republicans (74%) want state governments to protect customers from having to subsidize AI data centers.

In Oklahoma Older Residents Weigh In on AI Data Center Debate

Also, an AARP report, “Utility Affordability and Large Data Centers,” noted that older Oklahomans, especially those living on fixed incomes, are very worried about data centers and whether they can afford their bills

“Across the country, states are facing the same fundamental question: how to support rapid growth in energy demand without risking affordability for everyday consumers,” said Jenn Jones, Vice President of Financial Security and Livable Communities at AARP, in an April 28, 2026, statement announcing the release of the report.

The survey found that most Oklahomans (92%) think state leaders should make sure current residential customers do not have to pay for the costs of new data centers. Many (86%) also believe that data center companies should pay for the big electricity and infrastructure costs themselves.

Regulating Rhode Island’s Burgeoning Data Center Industry

Supporters of data center development argue that the facilities can bring construction jobs, permanent technical and security jobs, local tax revenue, and investment in electric-grid infrastructure. The central policy question is not whether data centers should exist, but who pays for the added power capacity they require — the companies that use it, or the broader pool of residential and business customers.

On Jan. 28, 2026, House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) introduced H 7331 to implement state regulations on data centers being built in Rhode Island. The bill was referred to the House Corporations Committee. In the upper chamber, Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) later introduced the Senate companion measure, S 2776, on March 4, 2026, which was referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. Both legislative proposals have since been recommended for further study.

“Data centers have become controversial because they often require improvements to the electric infrastructure, with ratepayers footing the bill,” said Rep. Kennedy. “This, coupled with substantial environmental implications, requires a regulatory framework that can balance the economic benefits of data centers with our energy and environmental concerns,” he says.

Both legislative proposals require the Public Utilities Commission to ensure protections for ratepayers in Rhode Island by preventing data center operators from passing their electricity costs on to residential and other business customers. Data centers must pay their own way to protect ratepayers from subsidizing the large-scale private energy demands of these projects, and no costs related to the construction of electric infrastructure should be allocated to other customers.

It would also require each data center to submit an annual report to the RI Department of Environmental Management detailing daily water withdrawals, the cooling technologies used, and water recycling or reuse practices. It would allow the DEM director to require a data center to submit a water efficiency, conservation, or recycling plan as a condition of any permit issued. A final provision requires financial assurance that provides for site restoration in the event of abandonment or cessation of operations.

For older Rhode Islanders, the debate is likely to be less about artificial intelligence itself than about affordability. As data centers expand, lawmakers and regulators will face a basic question: how to support new technology and economic development without shifting private infrastructure costs onto households already struggling with rising utility bills.

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Senate Aging Panel Highlights the Importance of Financial Literacy

Published in RINewsToday on May 18, 2026

Chairman Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing last month called “Empowering Seniors Through Financial Literacy: Tools to Protect Savings, Prevent Fraud, and Promote Independence.” The hearing, held during National Financial Literacy Month, focused on the need for financial education and income security for older Americans.

The April 15 hearing lasted just over an hour and focused on improving financial and retirement security for older Americans. During his opening remarks, Sen. Scott announced the release of a bipartisan 2026 Financial Literacy Booklet to help older Americans spot and avoid scams.

At SH-216, the Senate Aging Committee confirmed its continued work to protect older adults from financial exploitation and built on earlier efforts, such as the 2025 Fraud Report.

New Resource for a Secure Retirement

The new 39-page bipartisan booklet, Guarding Your Nest Egg: A Financial Resource for Older Adults, helps older Americans manage their finances, protect themselves from fraud and scams, and plan for a secure retirement.

As Sen. Scott noted: “For so many Americans, especially our seniors, it’s hard to find the information,” Sen. Scott said in his opening statement. “And when you do find it, it’s often incredibly complicated. As a country, we have done a poor job of ensuring people know their options and what route will work best for their needs.”

Sen. Scott says financial literacy is one of the most powerful and most underused tools to protect older Americans. “When they understand how their benefits work, they make better decisions,” he says.

“When they know how to read a financial statement and recognize bad actors, they’re harder to deceive. When they understand the difference between a legitimate investment and a pitch that’s too good to be true, they protect themselves. And when they know where to turn for trusted help, they realize they are not navigating this alone,” said the Florida Senator.

Finally, Sen. Scott added, “The best part is that this doesn’t require a new government program or more federal bureaucracy.” He stressed that the solution is not more federal spending, but “clear information, trusted messengers, and a commitment to getting that information into people’s hands.”

The Senate Aging Committee’s new booklet helps readers make smart retirement and financial decisions. It covers an array of topics, including Social Security, Medicare, housing, charitable giving, disaster preparedness, and even planning for unexpected events. Throughout its pages, practical advice is given to help older adults protect their savings and avoid fraud and scams.

Sen. Gillibrand, in her opening remarks, noted that over 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Longer lifespans mean more years in retirement, so careful retirement planning is needed, she says, stressing that aging populations put pressure on budgets and healthcare programs at all levels.

The New York Senator mentioned a recent statement by President Donald J. Trump, who suggested that Medicare and Medicaid should be managed by states rather than the federal government. She countered that comment, noting that since Medicare and Medicaid were enacted in 1965, older Americans have come to rely on these federal programs and expect them to be in place when needed.

Sen. Gillibrand pointed out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show about 44% of adults over 65 have a disability. Many people don’t see themselves in these statistics, and some find it difficult to plan to take care of a child or adult with special needs. Even when people set financial goals and save, unexpected events can still occur, she says.

Expert Witnesses disclose Insights on Financial Literacy

The Senate Aging Panel brought four expert witnesses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the American Bankers Association Foundation, AARP, and the financial planning community to testify at the hearing. These witnesses stressed the value of financial literacy and highlighted the growing complexity of fraud schemes. They also called for a coordinated approach that leverages education, training, partnerships, and legislation to protect older Americans’ finances.

“For older Americans, financial literacy is not a luxury; it is key for building wealth, protecting savings and preserving autonomy,” says Christine Kieffer, Interim President of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. Kieffer explained that financial literacy helps manage financial difficulties, but it is not enough to prevent scams. It should be combined with awareness of scams, an understanding of persuasion tactics, and a coordinated approach to ensure real protection.

Sam Kunjukunju, Vice President of Consumer Education at the American Bankers Association Foundation, suggested banks protect and educate older consumers, train bankers, work with law enforcement and adult protective services, and use technology. He also called for a nationwide education campaign and federal laws allowing banks to delay suspicious transactions.

From large banks to small community banks, these financial institutions offer fraud prevention workshops, online banking training, and financial wellness seminars, and coordinate outreach efforts with community organizations, says Kunjukunju, citing several examples.

Carly Roszkowski, AARP’s Vice President of Financial Resilience Programming, shared that 64% of adults worry about having enough money to retire, and nearly one in five non-retirees have no retirement savings. She discussed the real financial challenges older adults face.

AARP provides practical, easy-to-use digital tools (calculators, guides, and other resources) that enable older adults to make informed decisions about their financial future, thereby strengthening their long-term retirement security, says Roszkowski.

“The retirement system now shifts risk to the individuals, but education and support never caught up,” said Roszkowski in her testimony, explaining that the U.S. retirement system now places primary responsibility on individuals to manage savings, investing, and turning those savings into lifelong income.

“Financial literacy works – but only when it’s practical, sustained, timely, and paired with decision support,” adds Roszkowski.

Furthermore, Roszkowski argued that since individuals now bear more risk, financial literacy should be taught throughout one’s life. This approach should cover complex decisions that must be made in later years, as well as fraud risks, drawing on trusted, accessible sources.

In his testimony, Scott Kahan, a certified financial planner, also shared his experience navigating Medicare at age 65, even after 40 years in finance, to illustrate how complex it can be.

“Many people don’t use a financial planner for retirement planning. They might think they don’t have enough money or believe free help online is enough,” says Kahan, warning that this belief is often wrong and misleading.

Getting help from skilled, ethical financial planners like CFPs is essential and should not be considered a luxury, Kahan states, describing this assistance as a lifeline for managing financial complexity and avoiding fraud.

At this hearing, the expert witnesses said that today’s scams are sophisticated schemes that use Artificial Intelligence, voice cloning, and psychological manipulation. They also pointed out how hard it is to make wise choices about when to take Social Security, enroll in Medicare, and manage savings, especially when information is complex, hidden, and difficult to find on government websites, or even biased.

The witnesses also called on banks, government, regulators, nonprofits, and law enforcement to work together to help older Americans make better financial decisions and avoid scams. They often said that information and warnings should come from trusted sources such as family, bankers, financial planners, or groups like AARP.

 A Final Note…

Hopefully, the testimony at the Senate Aging Committee hearing will push Congress to move quickly to establish a “uniform national framework” that eliminates inconsistencies among state laws and better protects older Americans from today’s increasingly sophisticated fraud and scams. Possible steps include a federal “safe harbor” law allowing banks to delay disbursements or temporarily hold transactions when fraud is suspected, the creation of new task forces focused on combating elder fraud, and increased funding for national financial literacy campaigns.

The witnesses’ testimony about scams and complex systems may prompt federal agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social Security Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to make their communications and processes easier for older adults to access.

To watch the April 15 Senate Aging Committee Hearing, go to Empowering Seniors through Financial Literacy: Tools to Protect Savings, Prevent Fraud, and Promote Independence | United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

Download/read the “Guarding Your Nest Egg, a Financial Resource Guide for Older Adults:   https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/guarding_your_nest_egg_a_financial_resource_guide_for_older_adults.pdf