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Senate Aging Committee Seeks Renewal of Older Americans Act 

Published in RINewsToday on November 10, 2025

 With over 359 days until the mid-term elections, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Aging held a hearing last week to emphasize the need for reauthorizing the Older Americans Act (OAA), a crucial piece of federal legislation that expired the previous year. The hearing highlighted the key role OAA plays in assisting Americans living with age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as their caregivers.

Last reauthorized in 2020, the OAA expired during the 118th Congress. S. 4776, introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the committee’s ranking member, passed the Senate by unanimous consent last year. However, the House failed to pass a companion measure due to unrelated political disagreements.

Senate Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Reauthorize the OAA

On June 18, 2025, Chairman Cassidy, alongside nine co-sponsors, reintroduced the OAA Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 2120). This 91-page bill would authorize new funding a strengthen services for older Americans. The bipartisan bill was referred to the Senate HELP Committee the day it was introduced, where hearings, markups, and a committee vote are expected. If approved, it will move to the full Senate. As of press time, a companion bill had not yet been introduced in the House.

 Chairman Cassidy’s co-sponsors include Senators Bernie Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rick Scott (R-FL), chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

 Although S. 2120 closely mirrors last year’s S. 4776, there are notable differences. Specifically, it would reauthorize OAA programs through FY 2030 and increase funding by 18% over the next four years. It also includes measures to promote innovation, strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and expand the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Additionally, the bill aims to improve services for Tribal elders and older adults with disabilities, ensuring these populations remain active and supported in their communities.

 S. 2120 would also address elder abuse by establishing a clearinghouse for best practices, focusing on legal and protective services to strengthen state ombudsman programs, adult protective services, and related legal supports.

 Senate Aging Committee Hearing Highlights Call for S. 2120 Passage

 On November 5, 2025, Chairman Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) of the Senate Aging Committee held a full committee hearing titled “Renewing Our Commitment: How the Older Americans Act Uplifts Families Living with Aging-Related Diseases.” The hearing, which took place in SD-216 at 3:30 p.m., focused on how OAA-funded programs provide critical support to millions of Americans with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The goal of the hearing was to push for the passage of S. 2120 with bipartisan support.

In his opening statement, Chairman Scott emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the OAA to ensure that programs and services keep pace with a rapidly growing aging population—one increasingly affected by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, placing greater demands on caregivers.

“More than 7 million older Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly 1 million are affected by Parkinson’s,” said Scott. “Behind these numbers are caregivers—a husband, a wife, a son, or a daughter—providing unpaid, around-the-clock care.”

“Every service made possible by this law [OAA] represents compassion made real,” he added.

Ranking Member Gillibrand opening statement pointed out that most people are unaware of the OAA’s existence, despite the fact that one in six older adults benefit from its programs. “In 2024, the OAA generated 3.39 times its investment in community value and taxpayer savings. Through efficient service delivery, older adults avoided 1.9 million days of long-term hospital stays and institutional care,” she said.

“It’s not the time to take our foot off the gas,” Gillibrand continued. “Even though there have been minimal interruptions in service delivery since the Act’s authorization expired last year, it is vital that we pass a reauthorization this fall to modernize the statute and reflect the evolving needs of older adults.”

The three witnesses at this Senate Aging Committee hearing shared how OAA-funded services—such as adult day centers, home-delivered meals, caregiver support, and specialized exercise programs—helped them to maintain their health, and independence. They pointed out that these community-based services not only provided caregivers with the critical support, more important they were cost-effective alternatives to more costly nursing home care.

Key Testimonies Highlight the Impact of OAA Programs

Erick Montealegre, a volunteer community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association and a caregiver for his father, who was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, told the panel that adult day care centers and home-delivered meals—funded by the OAA—had made a “world of difference” in his father’s quality of life, providing essential respite care for his family.

Montealegre highlighted the importance of these programs being culturally and linguistically appropriate. His 84-year-old father, who had lost the ability to speak English and reverted to speaking his native Spanish, benefitted greatly from services that met his language needs.

“This hearing is especially meaningful to me because it’s taking place in November, National Family Caregivers Month,” Montealegre noted. In conclusion, he said, “Reauthorizing and strengthening the Older Americans Act is an investment in our families, our dignity, and our community.”

Steve Sappington, who has lived with Parkinson’s disease for the past ten years, explained that an OAA-supported exercise program, Rock Steady Boxing, has significantly slowed the progression of his symptoms. Recounting his experiences in living with Parkinson’s, he noted that he went eight years without having to increase his Parkinson’s medication after starting the boxing program. His neurologist called it a “miracle” and said he had never seen anything like it before.

“Programs like ours are possible because of the foundation laid by the OAA,” Sappington said. “Local OAA-funded services—such as transportation, congregate and home-delivered meals, caregiver support, adult day services, and other vital programs—make it possible for older adults like me to stay active and connected.” He urged Congress to reauthorize the OAA to ensure continued support for these essential services.

However, Sappington also pointed out that many older adults remain unaware of the services available to them, emphasizing the need for culturally competent outreach, particularly to low-income, rural, and minority communities.

 Duana Patton, Chief Executive Director of the Ohio District Five Area Agency on Aging and Board President of USAging, emphasized that Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as the “front door” to a network of local, community-based services. She argued that the OAA represents a cost-effective investment for the federal government, as its programs help older adults remain in their communities, which is far less expensive than placement in costly nursing homes.

 “The longer older adults can successfully age at home, the better it is financially for families and the federal government,” Patton explained. Having worked in the AAA field for over 31 years, she cited the example of “Ms. Gray,” a client who, after receiving in-home personal care and meals funded by the OAA, no longer required hospital readmissions due to the significant improvements in her health.

The witnesses stressed that the OAA needs to be promptly reauthorized, strengthened, and modernized to provide local agencies with the flexibility required to meet the evolving needs of their communities.

 A Final Note…

“We hope the Senate’s OAA reauthorization bill (S. 2120) can move forward soon, either under Unanimous Consent or attached to another legislative vehicle,” says Amy Gotwals, Chief of Public Policy and External Affairs at USAging. “While the House has yet to announce a specific plan, USAging, along with other aging organizations, is advocating for a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will pass before the end of the year.”

Gotwals notes that, although the reauthorization is important, it is not immediately necessary to ensure continued funding for the OAA. “President Trump’s budget, along with both the Senate and House FY 2026 bills, protect all but one OAA program—the Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program. If there’s a year-long Continuing Resolution, all programs will be protected,” she adds.

 “The shutdown remains our biggest challenge right now,” Gotwals concludes.

Gridlock Threatens Elder Programs, Services

Published in Pawtucket Times, October 11, 2013

At press time, this week continued heated partisan bickering on Capitol Hill that threatens to unravel a fragile economy, along with putting the brakes to an economic upturn that slowly was pushing the nation out of its financial doldrums. With this stand-off, a partial shutdown of the federal government continues. The Republican-controlled House, captured by the ultra-right Tea Party, has refused to budge, opposing the passage of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund government agencies past Sept. 30. House Republican leadership has demanded that passage of the CR must be tied to either the repeal or partially dismantling of President Obama’s signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act. The Democratic President along with a Senate Democratic leadership say no.

Meanwhile, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed a “clean” CR to provide funding through Nov. 15, not putting ACA on the GOP’s chopping block. Even if both legislative chambers sort out differences and hammer out a compromise agreement to open the doors of the federal government, this would not shield the nation from the disastrous impact of the impending second round of sequester cuts and a Oct. 17 deadline for the government to raise the debt ceiling. No action means a first-ever default on the nation’s debt that could send the stock market tumbling and push the nation’s and the world’s economy into a tailspin.

Treasury officials say that congressional deadlock and no action will result in the federal government running out of cash to pay its bills if Congress does not act to raise the nation’s debt ceiling this month.

Get Your House in Order

With the debt crisis looming, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond called on Congressional lawmakers to settle the debt ceiling debate to avoiding default on the nation’s debt, specifically to protect the retirement of seniors and future generations.

In her letter, LeaMond expressed concern that any delay in raising the nation’s debt limit may unnecessarily increase borrowing costs, negatively impact retirement savings accounts and harm the nation’s fragile economy.

“Our members are worried that the benefits they have earned may be cut as part of a deal to reduce the deficit, fund government operations, or increase the debt ceiling, and they are increasingly worried that if there is no agreement very soon, they may not receive their Social Security checks and may lose access to their health care,” noted LeaMond.

Ten days ago, the nation entered a government shutdown, forcing furloughs of 800,000 workers, without pay, and suspending services. The last time this occurred was 17 years ago during the Clinton administration. The Congressional impasse has closed national parks and monuments, federally owned museums, such as the Smithsonian, offices overseas that give visas to foreigners hoping to visit the United States, and even many federal regulatory agencies.

So, how does this impact programs and services for older Americans? Simply put, impact on programs and benefits may vary throughout the federal bureaucracy.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will furlough over 40,512 of its 78, 198 employees. The largest percentage of these employees comes from “grant-making and employee-intensive agencies,” such as the Administration for Community Living. This federal agency would not be able to fund the Senior Nutrition programs, Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services, Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, and Protection and Advocacy for persons with developmental disabilities.

As reported, Social Security checks will be mailed, Medicare and Medicaid benefits will continue to be paid out, because these are considered mandatory programs, not discretionary ones. Benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food Stamps, will continue in October, despite the federal shutdown.

Food Program Takes Budgetary Hit

Jenny Bertolette of the Meals on Wheels Association of America charges that the Federal Government shutdown “adds insult to injury as Senior Nutrition Programs are already dealing with devastating cuts due to sequestration, funding that has never kept up with inflation, increased food and transportation costs and increased need as significantly more seniors are aging and struggling with hunger than ever before.”

Bertolette says that should a shutdown persist for any considerable length of time, local Meals on Wheels programs that rely on government funding could experience a delay in reimbursements for meals and services delivered. Facing such funding uncertainty, programs could be forced to suspend meal services, create or expand waiting lists for meals, cut the number of meals or days they serve and reduce delivery days.

Jenny Bertolette of the Meals on Wheels Association of America charges that the Federal Government shutdown “adds insult to injury as Senior Nutrition Programs are already dealing with devastating cuts due to sequestration, funding that has never kept up with inflation, increased food and transportation costs and increased need as significantly more seniors are aging and struggling with hunger than ever before.”

Bertolette says that should a shutdown persist for any considerable length of time, local Meals on Wheels programs that rely on government funding could experience a delay in reimbursements for meals and services delivered. Facing such funding uncertainty, programs could be forced to suspend meal services, create or expand waiting lists for meals, cut the number of meals or days they serve and reduce delivery days.

Heather Amaral, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, agrees, noting that her Providence-based nonprofit program, has already lost $70,970 in 2013 federal funds due to last year’s sequestration cuts.

Amaral says that as a result of these cuts, to maintain meal delivery at the same numbers as last year (360,299 meals), she had to reduce menu items that were once offered. “Although the government shutdown doesn’t have an immediate impact on our program, I am concerned that it could lead to additional cuts,” she says, noting that should the shutdown continue until year end, the nonprofit agency will be forced to rely on donations and reserves to maintain service levels.

“We provide a safety check along with each home delivered meal and are often the only contact our client has that day, adds Amaral, who stresses that her program may be the only thing keeping a senior at home. “If we are forced to reduce the number of meals we serve, these people may be forced to live with a family member or enter a nursing home,” she warns.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency will be unable to fund additional payments to public housing authorities, many providing shelter to older Americans. HUD expects the 3,300 Public Housing Authorities it funds to have enough funding to get through the month of October. But, if the shutdown continues, some public housing authorities will not be able to maintain normal operation.

Also, Quarterly formula grants will not go out for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), or the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

Nutrition programs serving older adults face a double whammy with no FY14 appropriations and no reauthorization of the Farm Bill. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program expired along with the Farm Bill on Sept. 30. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) requires appropriations to continue operating.

According to well-known Aging Advocate Susan Sweet, this is a partial shutdown that hasn’t really hit aging programs yet. There are funding reductions in programs for older people, but that is due to the sequester, which will have another round of cuts in October, she says.

Sweet predicts that the negative effects of the shutdown itself will become worse with every passing day. For example, there is doubt that veterans benefits and social security will be paid in or after October absent a funding bill. Death benefits, including burial subsidies, have not been paid to the survivors of fallen armed forces members, she notes. Because of the public outcry regarding this outrage, a private charity has stepped up to pay the benefits with the promise of reimbursement when the government re-opens.

“Reduced to its true absurdity, the United States of America has lost the ability to rationally govern,” states Sweet. “The sequester cuts, previously characterized as “cuts for dummies”, have been implemented, we are in a war yet cannot bury our dead from that war, can’t even agree on a temporary fix, and are arguing whether the US should pay its bills or default,” she adds.

“It is perplexing, and we have heard many, many concerns from Rhode Island members, “ said AARP State Director Kathleen Connell. “Since the U.S. government has never failed to meet its financial obligations, we don’t know what payments it could make if the President and Congress fail to reach an agreement.

“One cannot help but wonder what effects this uncertainty has on people – many of whom struggle enough with health and financial issues,” Connell added. “We’re doing whatever we can to urge Congress and the President to act responsibly.”

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket-based writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. His weekly commentaries can be found on his blog, herbweiss.wordpress.com. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.