Advocacy Alert

white female in front of laptop talking on cell phone

SERVICES THAT KEEP YOU INDEPENDENT ARE SECURE ARE AT RISK – ACT NOW!

Tell Congress to Protect the Older Americans Act

Early reports of the federal budget plan to break apart the coordination and delivery of Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, upon which millions of people rely. Programs within the Older Americans Act would be divided between the Administration for Children and Families and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Splitting OAA programs would lead to administrative burden and fewer dollars reaching the people they are meant to support. The OAA is the foundation for programs around the country that keep us at home and in our communities, preventing and delaying more costly care often provided through Medicaid. The budget would completely eliminate several OAA programs, including health promotion and falls prevention, and programs to prevent elder abuse. At the same time, there are growing threats to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid – the very foundations of economic and health security for millions of rural Americans.

Older male handing bag of groceries to older woman at her door

Home-delivered meals and congregate dining

  • Funding for home-delivered meals and congregate dining within the Older Americans Act would be cut. As our population continues to age, the need for these meals is only increasing. Home-delivered meals are a lifeline for older adults who are unable to afford healthy meals or shop for themselves.

Health promotion and disease prevention programs

  • Funding for health promotion and disease prevention programs within the OAA would be eliminated entirely. These funds provide critical upstream supports to help people prevent falls and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. These programs help keep older adults living in their homes and out of the hospital or nursing home placements that are usually paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.

Elder justice programs

Elder justice programs, including adult protective services, elder rights and the long-term care ombudsman program would be completely defunded.

Call or email your U.S. Representatives & Senators

Tell them OAA and other federal program dollars are vital in your rural area—and must remain intact.

Feel free to use this script in your calls and emails or use your own message in support of the Older Americans Act. Add personal or professional experience as you are able.

U.S. House of Representatives

Pete Stauber

Ph: 202-225-6211

Email: stauber.house.gov/contact/email-me

U.S. Senate Amy Klobuchar

Phone: 218-741-9690

Email: klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy

U.S. Senate

Tina Smith

Phone: 218-722-2390

Email: smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion