Tag Archives for Rhode Island lawmakers

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

Bills Passed to Assist Rhode Island’s Seniors, Disabled

Printed in the Woonsocket Call on July 7, 2019

With the dust settling after the adjournment of the Rhode Island General Assembly’s 2019 legislative session on June 30, 2019, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo halfheartedly signed the state’s 2020 fiscal year $9.9 billion budget into law.

The newly enacted budget closes a $100 million budget gap while avoiding new taxes for businesses, fully funding the state’s education aid formula, continuing to phase-out the car-tax, maintaining fiscal support for municipalities. And, State lawmakers did not forget older Rhode Islanders and disabled persons, putting tax dollars into programs assisting them.

Included in the state budget signed by Raimondo is $499,397 to fund the Rhode Island Livable Home Modification Grant Act that was introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, Cranston and Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr., D -Bristol, Tiverton, Warren.

The grant allows eligible homeowners and renters to retrofit their residence to nationally recognized accessibility standards and receive 50 percent of the total sum spent, up to $5,000, to retrofit their existing residence.

The intent of this state program is to assist older Rhode Islanders and disabled persons to stay safely in their homes longer rather than being admitted to costly nursing homes, which costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year in Medicaid costs. With the graying of state’s population, there is a need for housing that is safe and adapted to the needs of their older occupants. (The Livable Home Modification Grant Application and Post-Retrofit Claim form can be found at http://www.gcd.ri.gov.)

Meanwhile, aging advocates gave the thumbs-up to Rhode Island lawmakers who eliminated a sunset provision in the state budget for a program that provides fare-free bus passes to low-income seniors and elderly Rhode Islanders, making this program permanent.

Awaiting the Governor’s Signature

The General Assembly passed legislation (S 0691A, H 6219), introduced by Senator Frank S. Lombardi, D-Cranston and Rep. Evan P. Shanley, D-Warwick, that would help caregivers to build onto their houses to provide space for relatives. The measure now moves to the governor’s office for consideration.

The passed legislation expands the definition of “family member” for purposes of zoning ordinances to include child, parent, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, domestic partner, sibling, care recipient or member of the household.

Under the legislation, the appearance of the home would remain that of a single-family residence with an internal means of egress between the home and the accessory family dwelling unit. If possible, no additional exterior entrances would be added. Where additional entrance is required, placement would generally be in the rear or side of the structure.

This legislative session, State lawmakers also approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Adam J. Satchell D- West Warwick and Rep. Robert E. Craven, D- North Kingstown, to establish a formal process recognizing “supported decision making,” a structure of support for disabled or aging individuals.

The legislation, which now heads to the governor’s desk, establishes a system of personal support that is less restrictive than guardianship to help individuals maintain independence while receiving assistance in making and communicating important life decisions. It is aimed at providing an alternative with more self-determination for individuals who are aging or who have developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Under the bill (2019-S 0031A, 2019- H5909), Rhode Islanders would be able to designate another person, or a team of people, as a supporter who would help them gather and weigh information, options, responsibilities and consequences of their life decisions about their personal affairs, support services, medical or psychological treatment, education and more. The supporter would also help the individual communicate the person’s wishes to those who need to know.

The legislation creates a legal form that establishes the agreement between individuals and their supporters, and designates the types of decisions with which the supporter is authorized to help. The bill establishes that decisions made with support under such an agreement are legally valid, and allows supporters to assist with the accessing of an individual’s confidential health and educational records.

It also requires that any other person who is aware that an individual is being abused, neglected or exploited by their supporter is obligated to report that abuse to the proper authorities.

Protecting Rhode Island’s Seniors and Disabled from Financial Exploitation

Sen. Valarie J. Lawson, D-East Providence and Rep. Joe Serodio’s D-East Providence, legislation (2019-0433A, 2019-H 6091A), “Senior Savings Protection Act,” was passed by the General Assembly and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.

The act would require certain individuals to report the occurrence or suspected occurrence of financial exploitation of persons who are age 60 and over or those with a disability between the ages of 18 and 59 years old.

According to the legislation, if a qualified individual, a person associated with a broker-dealer who serves in a supervisory, compliance or legal capacity, believes that financial exploitation is taking place, or being attempted, the individual must notify Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation and Division of Elderly Affairs, and law enforcement. The individual may also alert immediate family members, legal guardians, conservators, or agents under a power of attorney of the person possibly being financially exploited.

The legislation also calls for the Department of business Regulation and the Division of Elderly Affairs to develop websites that include training resources to assist in the prevention and detection of financial exploitation against Rhode Island’s seniors and disabled.

Combating Alzheimer’s Disease

With the number of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease expected to increase in the coming years, the General Assembly approved bills to better support Rhode Islanders affected by debilitating mental disorder and to protect against elder abuse. There are an estimated 23,000 Rhode Islanders age 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease. In just six years, the number is expected to increase to 27,000.

The Rhode Island General Assembly approved legislation (S 20223, 2019-H 5178) sponsored Sen. Cynthia A.Coyne, D-Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, and House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi, D-Warwick, to establish a program within the Department of Health dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease, and create a 13-member advisory council that would provide policy recommendations, evaluate state-funded efforts for care and research and provide guidance to state officials on advancements in treatment, prevention and diagnosis. The bill is based on legislation signed into law last year in Massachusetts.

The legislation requires the Department of Health to assess all state programs related to Alzheimer’s, and maintain and annually update the state’s plan for Alzheimer’s disease. It would also require the Department of Health to establish an Alzheimer’s disease assessment protocol specifically focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of cognitive impairments, and appropriate resource information for effective medical screening, investigation and service planning. The legislation would also require caseworkers working with the Department of Elderly Affairs to become familiar with those protocols. Additionally, the legislation would require a one-time, hourlong training on diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with cognitive impairments for all physicians and nurses licensed in the state.

Most importantly, adoption of the legislation would enable Rhode Island to qualify for federal funding that is available to help states with their efforts to support those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Also gaining final Rhode Island General Assembly approval was legislation (2019-S 0302A, 2019-H 5141) sponsored by Sen. Coyne and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, Cranston, to allow the spouses or partners of patients residing in Alzheimer’s or dementia special care unit or program to live with them, even if they do not meet the requirements as patients-themselves.

Finally, Sen. Coyne, who lead the Senate’s Special Task Force to Study Elderly Abuse and Financial Exploitation, successfully spearheaded an effort this session to pass legislative proposals to beef up the state’s efforts to combat elder abuse, that is growing and vastly under reported. For details, go to herbweiss.wordpress.com, to access the June 30 commentary, “Senate Task Force Calls for Action to Combat State’s Growing Elder Abuse.”