U.S. Representatives David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Doris Matsui (CA-06) reintroduced legislation to reestablish the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging to examine the challenges and issues facing the growing aging population in America.
This legislation has been endorsed by the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO). The original House Permanent Select Committee on Aging, which was active between 1974 and 1992, conducted investigations, hearings and issues reports to inform Congress on issues related to aging.
“America’s seniors have spent a lifetime working hard and moving our country forward and they deserve the best in their retirement,” Rep. Cicilline said. “The pandemic has disproportionately impacted seniors and now with growing concerns about inflation, seniors on fixed incomes will bear the burden of the rising cost of prescription drugs, food, housing, and other essentials. There has never been a more urgent time for Congress to reauthorize the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging than right now. Congress must study and address the issues that affect seniors to make sure they can live the rest of their lives with dignity and security.”
“Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old. This isn’t a statistic to keep dismissing; it’s a call for action that I have been ringing the alarm on for years,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “The pandemic magnified gaps in U.S. policy that routinely forget about Older Americans and the need to nurture a culture that respects them. From the lack of a universal long-term care policy to barriers to vaccine access earlier in the pandemic, these are issues that need to be examined so that Congress can put forward strong solutions to support our aging population and the communities they live in. I am committed to strengthening policies that support our seniors and proud to be a co-lead on this resolution to make it happen.”
“Older Americans today face many difficulties—including achieving retirement security and affording the rising costs in health care and prescription drugs—which have only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “They have worked hard their entire lives to contribute to our economy, care for our families and enrich our communities. By creating a Select Committee on Aging in the House, we can continue to strengthen and support policies that are important to seniors throughout the country. I am proud to co-lead the resolution to create this committee, and I look forward to continuing to fight for the priorities of Older Americans that gives them the fundamental rights that they deserve.”
In 1974, the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging was established the purpose of “advising Congress and the American people on how to meet the challenge of growing old in America.” Although the committee did not have legislative authority, it played a critical role in raising awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease and elder abuse. The committee helped pass nursing home reforms, which helped reduce elder abuse at senior care facilities. Reestablishing the select committee would allow Congress to study and address longstanding issues including Social Security, Medicare, prescription drugs, and long-term care as well as other issues that didn’t exist in the past, including online scams which target vulnerable and unsuspecting seniors.
On April 20th, Herb Weiss, a writer on aging issues for RINewsToday published a piece about the history of the Commission on Aging and the possibility that the move that happened this week would, in fact happen.
Last month, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) unveiled its 167-page FY 2024 “Protecting America’s Economic Security” budget proposal which calls for balancing the federal budget in seven years, slashes $16.3 trillion in wasteful government spending over ten years, and cuts $5.1 trillion in taxes. During the 118th Congress (2023 to 2024), 175 House Republican lawmakers from 38 states are RSC members. With over 70 percent of the House Republicans belonging to the RSC, the release of the proposed budget is a dependable indicator of where the chamber’s caucus stands on key legislative priorities.
The RSC annually releases its own budget proposal for the next fiscal year during the time when both House and Senate Budget Committees prepare official budget resolutions. The fiscal blueprint provides the House Republican Caucus with an opportunity to detail its wish list of spending priorities and also provides its position on social issues.
RSC’s FY 2024 budget, released on June 14, 2023, is made up of 220 individual legislative proposals and initiatives received from its members. Reflecting GOP values, the proposed budget would eliminate most funding for new abortion policies, Critical Race Theory, and “gender politics” initiatives, while ensuring adequate funding for the military, continued construction of a Southern border wall; rolling back “climate change” programs, and eliminating increases in funding for the IRS. It would also make 2017 tax cuts permanent as its provisions are starting to expire soon, and ensuring the nation’s energy independence; providing tax benefits to promote R&D: restricting free meals for students, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with the possibility of work/volunteer requirements.
Aging groups are concerned that the RSC budget also takes aim at Social Security and Medicare programs. During 2023, the annual Social Security trust fund report warned that the program will only be able to continue paying out full benefits through 2034. The Medicare trust fund also reported that it could run low on funds by 2028, two years later than reported last year. While the Democratic platform seeks to raise caps on some programs to address this, the RSC’s budget proposal floated additional policies to financially fix these programs.
The RSC budget proposes “modest changes” to benefits for those who are not near full retirement age. For future retirees, it calls for raising the full retirement age (taking into account for increases in life expectancy) from age 67 to age 69 for those who turn 63 in 2033. It would also reduce benefits for future beneficiaries who earned a “higher salary” before retirement. Also, only “modest adjustments” to the Social Security program as it operates would be made but it doesn’t clarify the changes.
As to Medicare, the RSC budget calls for requiring disabled people to wait longer before they can receive Medicare benefits. It pushes for turning Medicare into a “premium support system,” where seniors would receive a subsidy to be used to purchase private health plans competing against traditional Medicare.
Point/Counter Point
With the release of RSC’s budget, House lawmakers, the White House, and aging groups quickly issued statements touting their own positions.
RSC’s Chairman Kevin Hern (R-Ok) noted the GOP’s conservative values could be found on every page of the budget blueprint. “Our budget proves that fiscal responsibility is the only way to lower inflation, grow the economy, cut federal spending, empower taxpayers, and protect small businesses. Congress controls the purse strings, but we, the House, has failed to produce a budget year after year after year. Everyone has to balance their budget – governors, mayors, businesses, families – but not Congress. Nearly every problem facing our government can be traced back to our failure to both pass a budget and stick to it. The Republican Study Committee has a budget, and it balances in just seven years. Our budget is real, and it’s floor-ready. It’s time to get our country back on track,” he said.
“For too long, irresponsible spending habits in Washington have made the cost-of-living more expensive for hardworking American families, and they are fed up with business-as-usual. The RSC budget prioritizes smart, common-sense policy to empower the American worker, and it cuts back on wasteful spending to pay for what’s important – just like families have to do every day. We are committed to protecting our country’s economic security and restoring fiscal sanity to our Nation’s finances,” says RSC Budget and Spending Task Force Ben Cline (R-VA).
On the other hand, Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan F. Boyle, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, gives the RSC the thumbs down: “This budget stands in stark contrast to the positive, hopeful vision put forward by President Biden and supported by House Democrats: a government that works for working families, an economy where the ultra-rich pay their fair share, and a country where everyone has the freedom to retire with dignity. I look forward to working with President Biden and Congressional Democrats to ensure House Republicans’ bleak vision for America does not become our reality.”
Social Security and Medicare
Social Security advocacy groups warn that the programs proposed by the RSC would slash the nation’s safety net programs, like Social Security and Medicare.
“This budget would destroy Social Security as we know it. It would raise the retirement age and slash middle class benefits. These changes would transform Social Security from an earned insurance benefit, which replaces wages lost in old age, disability, or death, into a subsistence-level welfare benefit,” warns Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works.
“The budget fearmongers about Social Security’s modest shortfall (still a decade away) rules out any options for raising revenue, such as requiring billionaires to contribute more. That leaves benefit cuts as the only “solution.” In other words, they want to cut benefits now to avoid cutting them later, which isn’t a solution at all. Indeed, the budget will increase the number of workers who will have no ability to retire while maintaining their standard of living,” says Altman.
“A particularly cruel provision would force disability beneficiaries to wait five long years (instead of the current two, which is already too long) before becoming eligible for Medicare benefits. Outrageously, this change would deprive some of the most medically vulnerable people in America of health care. This provision alone would inevitably lead to more medical bankruptcies and increased homelessness,” notes Altman.
Correcting misinformation on Social Security and Medicare
The Washington, DC-based National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is launching a new public education campaign — sponsored by AARP — to correct misinformation about Social Security and emphasize the program’s value to American workers, especially to communities of color. The campaign, “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow,” is intended to debunk myths and give workers the facts about their vital earned benefits. The campaign includes a series of public town halls across the U.S. between June and October, 2023, featuring prominent Social Security experts and advocates, Social Security officials, and financial advisors.
Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Protected Social Security and Medicare says, “There is a ‘doom and gloom’ narrative about Social Security today. ‘The program is going bankrupt.’ ‘It won’t be there for future generations.’ ‘Politicians are stealing from Social Security.’ None of that is true. We want the public to understand that Social Security is there for them today — and it will be there for them tomorrow. And not just in retirement, but in case of disability, the death of a family breadwinner, or the retirement of a spouse. That’s what this campaign is all about.” Richtman will moderate some of the upcoming town halls.
“Social Security is a financial lifeline to millions of American seniors, but it is especially crucial to the Black community. Black Americans traditionally rely on Social Security for monthly income more than other groups do, due to wage and job discrimination, diminishing employer-provided pensions, and challenges in saving for retirement. “Like all Americans, the Black community pays into Social Security with every paycheck — and deserves to know that the government will keep its promise to provide baseline financial security when they encounter what President Franklin Roosevelt called ‘the hazards and vicissitudes’ of life,” says Richtman.
Here is a schedule of the town halls. Admission is free. Reservations are required.
Las Vegas, NV, October, 2023 (date & location TBA)
Visit www.socialsecurityheretoday.org for registration information. Those unable to attend the free town halls in person will be able to watch live video streams.
House GOP leadership is committed to holding a vote to approve the RSC budget this year. With a razor thin majority in the House and with Democrats stringing opposing, the RSC budget is unlikely to pass the lower chamber.
In an interview with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that aired Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, on “Face the Nation,” McCarthy stated, “Medicare and Medicaid slashes are off the table.” But with three fourths of the House GOP caucus endorsing the RSC budget, making cuts to Social Security and Medicare, older voters must make it clear to their House lawmaker, “Don’t touch Social Security and Medicare.”
The nation’s population continues to gray and this is documented by a series of demographic profiles from the 2020 Census recently released. The release of this updated census data must be a wake-up call to Congress and federal and state officials who oversee aging programs and services.
According to Zoe Caplan, statistician demographer in the U.S. CensusBureau’s Sex and Age Statistics Branch, the U.S. population age 65 and over grew from 2010 to 2020 at the fastest rate since 1880 to 1890. The nation’s over-age-65 population grew nearly five times faster than the total population over the 100 years from 1920 to 2020, says Caplan in a May 25, 2023 posting on the agency’s website.
In her posting, Caplan says that in 2020, a whopping 1 in 6 people in the United States were age 65 and over. In 1920, this statistic was just 1 in 20.
The 2020 Census reported that the older population increased by 50.9 million, from 4.9 million (or 4.7% of the total U.S. population) in 1920 to 55.8 million (16.8%) in 2020. This represents a growth rate of about 1,000%, almost five times that of the total population (about 200%).
Growth in older population spiked 2010-2020
According to Caplan, the older population has been growing for the past century but the decade before 2020 saw its fastest increase since 1880 to 1890. “From 2010 to 2020, the age 65 and over population experienced its largest-ever 10-year numeric gain — an increase of 15.5 million people. The next largest 10-year numeric increase, 5.7 million between 1980 and 1990, was less than half that size,” she says.
From 2010 to 2020, Caplan stated that the 65 and over population experienced the largest-ever percentage-point increase, from 13.0% to 16.8% of the total population. “Before 2010, it took 50 years (from 1960 to 2010) for the nation’s older population’s share of the total population to grow by the same number of percentage points,” she said.
The 2020 Census Data reveals that while the nation’s population grew from 2010 to 2020, the size and rate varied by age groups for other age groups. The 65 to 74 age group was the largest of the older cohort groups, with 33.1 million people, representing over half of the age 65 and over population (or 1 in 10 Americans), she said.
“The 65 to 74 age group experienced the largest growth of any older age group the previous decade,” says Caplan, noting that its numbers grew by 11.4 million or (52.5%), increasing from 21.7 million in 2010 to 33.1 million in 2020.
Caplan says that the 75-to-84 age group grew at about half that rate (25.1%) but is expected to pick up the pace in the next decade as baby boomers age into this group. Additionally, she noted that the 85-to-94 age group had a relatively slower growth (12.6%) than other older age groups, increasing from 5.1 million to 5.7 million. The population 95 years and over also experienced a large growth rate (48.6%), increasing from about 425,000 in 2010 to 631,000 in 2020, she added.
The 2020 date also indicated that for those people age 70 and over, males experienced a larger percentage growth between 2010 and 2020 (42.2%) than females (29.5%). Meanwhile, the percentage of centenarians have grown 50% since 2010, the fastest recent census-to-census percent change for that age group.
Finally, while the U.S. population age 65 and over population grew, the Census 2020 data indicated that the nation’s population remained relatively young when compared with other nations. Caplan noted that Japan has the largest percentage (28.5%) of older residents. Many European countries, along with Canada and Hong Kong, have larger percentages of older residents than the United States, says Caplan, noting that the United States ranked 34th (16.8%) among these places.
Japan had the largest share (28.5%) of older residents. The United States ranked 34th (16.8%) among these places. Many European countries, along with Canada and Hong Kong, had higher shares of older residents than the United States, adds Caplan.
Nation’s median age creeps closer to Age 40
Just last week, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the nation’s median age increased by 0.2 years to 38.9 years between 2021 and 2022. Median age is the age at which half of the population is older and half of the population is younger.
“As the nation’s median age creeps closer to 40, you can really see how the aging of baby boomers, and now their children — sometimes called echo boomers — is impacting the median age. The eldest of the echo boomers have started to reach or exceed the nation’s median age of 38.9,” said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureau’s Population Division in a statement released on June 22, 2023.
“While natural change, nationally, has been positive, as there have been more births than deaths, birth rates have gradually declined over the past two decades. Without a rapidly growing young population, the U.S. median age will likely continue its slow but steady rise,” she says.
According to the statement, a third (17) of the states in the country had a median age above 40.0 in 2022, led by Maine with the highest at 44.8, and New Hampshire at 43.3. Utah (31.9), the District of Columbia (34.8), and Texas (35.5) had the lowest median ages in the nation. Hawaii had the largest increase in median age among states, up 0.4 years to 40.7.
No states experienced a decrease in median age. Four states — Alabama (39.4), Maine (44.8), Tennessee (39.1), West Virginia (42.8), and the District of Columbia (34.8) — had no change in their median age from 2021 to 2022.
Can Rhode Island cope with a population growing older?
“It is no secret that the Rhode Island population is growing older,” says Maureen Maigret, Chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, whose Subcommittee was charged with looking at Rhode Island’s older population, its demographics, services and programs to assist them to age in place in the community along with identifying gaps in services. “We issued a comprehensive report in 2016 showing that persons age 65 and over in Rhode Island would go from 14.4% of the state population in 2010 to 25% by 2040,” she said.
According to Maigret, the US Census 2021 estimates shows the state’s 65 and over population is now at 18% and some its communities have already reached 20%. “Our older population is also becoming more diverse. White older adults went from 93.4% in 2010 to 86.4% in 2021 (RI Healthy Aging Data Report.) while Hispanic older adults increased from 3.8% to 6.5%. Our Subcommittee continues to work to implement recommendations we made in nine different areas important for aging in the community,” adds Maigret, noting that she has been working with advocates and legislative champions to implement and put them into law or practice.
“We have made some significant progress in expanding home care for those not impoverished enough to be on Medicaid, to expand respite services for caregivers and this year to fund the Office of Healthy Aging and Disability Resource Center. But we still have much more work to do,” says Maigret.
“I am especially concerned that studies show some 80% of persons age 65+ will not be able to afford two years of home care and many may need more than that. So that is something we need to address by changes in Medicaid and Medicare providing support for unpaid family caregivers who provide enormous amounts of long-term care to loved ones in need. We also be providing more funding for local senior center programs that are shown to promote health and reduce social isolation with its negative health outcomes,” says Maigret.
Maigret says that funding for the Village Common of RIthat, an organization that provides trained and vetted volunteers in local villages to provide supports such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, friendly visits, minor home tasks — all types of supports to help older adults remain in their own homes, should also be allocated. “More communities are interested in starting these types of volunteer programs of mutual support but funding is needed to support the infrastructure,” she advises.
Maigret expresses concern that so many older Rhode Islanders are economically insecure. Twenty seven percent of older households are living on less than $25,000/year yet it costs an older Rhode Island couple in good health renting their home about $41,448 annually to meet basic living expenses (Elder Index).
“Economic insecurity is a special problem for older women who comprise 56% of the state’s 65 and over population and are more likely to live alone,” she says noting that their average Social Security checks amounts to $11,584 compared to $14,578 for men, and mean personal income for women is about $25,000 less than older males.
Maigret encourages state leaders to pay attention to these “age-related” demographics as they consider budget and policy priorities. And she would like to see each of the state’s communities assess their age-friendliness, like Newport, Cranston and Providence have done.” Other communities should follow Pawtucket’s lead of promoting fitness for older adults by creating adult outdoor exercise area adjacent to its senior center or in local parks.
Addressing the State’s Shrinking Health Care Workforce
“The main focus in addressing issues related to meeting the needs of the state’s growing older population is to address the critical need for a robust healthcare workforce,” says John Gage, President & CEO of the Rhode Island Health Care Association. “Reimbursement must support appropriate staffing levels at livable wages throughout the long-term care continuum – home care, assisted living residences and nursing facilities,” he says.
“As the generations shift, there will be a greater need for long-term care supports and services with a shrinking workforce. Sustainable funding is essential to the ability to provide this care, and it has never been more evident than today,” warns Gage. “In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, current statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that Rhode Island’s nursing home workforce is down some 20% from pre-pandemic levels,” he says, stating a detailed analysis of the workforce for hospitals and nursing homes indicates that nursing home RNs have declined by 16.5%, LPNs by 18.3% and CNAs by 25.4%. It is estimated that, nationwide, recovery of the nursing home workforce will not occur until 2027 based on the small, incremental improvements quarter over quarter, adds Gage.
“Presently, 17% of our neighbors are aged 65 and older, and nearly a quarter (24%) are age 60 and above! Recognizing this trend, we are actively engaged in anticipating and meeting the needs of our growing population of older adults in our state,” says Director Maria Cimini, of the Rhode Island’s Office of Healthy Aging.
“At numerous State and non-profit spaces, we are present to ensure that the needs of older adults are central to discussions surrounding health care, housing, transportation, education, accessible communities, and caregiving,” she adds.
“We embrace the opportunity presented by the recently passed Legislative Commission to Study the Services and Programs for Older Adults to collaborate with Rhode Islanders working with seniors. Together, we will share our experience with aging populations, promote valuable resources, and identify what we all need to make RI a great place to grow up and grow old,” says Cimini.
Herb Weiss 