Dignity in Aging Act of 2019

Floor Speech

As the Representative of a district that has one of the largest constituencies of older Americans, I am proud to rise as a coauthor of H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act, bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the Older Americans Act, which will directly benefit the seniors in my district and the seniors across the country.

Since 1965, this statute has provided a wide range of social and nutrition services for Americans aged 60 years or older. In addition to well-known programs like Meals on Wheels, the Older Americans Act supports services that include nutrition programs providing meals at senior centers, schools, and churches; care to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors; family caregiver support systems; and community service employment opportunities for older Americans.

This legislation is full of bipartisan agreements and priorities, and during times of stark political divide, it is encouraging to be here today with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak in support of the Dignity in Aging Act, which is the product of a diligent, congenial effort that embodies the good that can come from working across the aisle.

The bill before us today provides States the flexibility to spend funds on the issues impacting their senior communities, which include support for older Americans who have become caregivers of younger relatives due to the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic on our communities.

It enhances the cost effectiveness of critical programs and ensures program accountability and integrity by prohibiting the renewal of grants that do not demonstrate effectiveness.

It assists formerly incarcerated, older individuals in reentering the workforce rather than re-offend and ensures that funded programs are evidence based and effectively serving seniors.

Additionally, this bill includes long-overdue updates from the Younger Onset Alzheimer's Act that I co-led with my friend and colleague from New York, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice.

Those under 60 with this heartbreaking disease face unique hardships, for themselves and for their families. The current support structures for individuals with Alzheimer's are focused almost exclusively on seniors, leaving the 200,000 Americans living with younger onset Alzheimer's without access to these critical services.

This bill ensures individuals of any age living with Alzheimer's receive full access to the services and support provided by the Older Americans Act.

I am also very proud to say that included in this bill is language from another bipartisan legislative proposal that I coauthored encouraging the use of caregiver assessments to identify the needs of family caregivers.

This individualized approach to care will ensure that both caregivers and those who require assistance are provided tailored support to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

There is another group of older Americans in this country we must not forget: the nearly 80,000 Holocaust survivors who live among us. As victims of the very worst of humanity, Holocaust survivors deserve devoted care and support to address the unimaginable, horrific trauma they experienced. Sadly, one-third of our country's Holocaust survivors live in poverty.

During the markup process in the House Committee on Education and Labor, I was honored to work with my friend and colleague, Representative Bonamici, on a provision that works to address the needs of aging Holocaust survivors.

Institutional placement can present a unique challenge to those who have suffered the trauma of the Holocaust, so it is critical that these individuals are identified for the services necessary to support independent living. Our provision will ensure local outreach efforts place a special emphasis on Holocaust survivors and others at risk for institutional placement.

Additionally, the bill recognizes the specific needs of this community by ensuring that nutrition programs should meet the religious, cultural, or ethnic dietary requirements of all older Americans.

These men and women have survived unconscionable suffering, yet many continue to live with physical and emotional scars from the horror they faced. Together, we acknowledge their resilience and seek to offer opportunities that allow them to live healthy, dignified, and independent lives through their elder years.

Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the bipartisan effort from the Education and Labor Committee that has resulted in the meaningful legislation before us today. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to our Nation's older generation.

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Ms. STEFANIK. Foxx), the Republican leader of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this legislation before us today.

I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act, which will reauthorize the Older Americans Act through 2024.

For over 50 years, the Older Americans Act, or OAA, has helped provide social and nutrition services to older Americans. With more than 40 million Americans aged 65 and older, the programs and services offered by OAA are helping them maintain independence, and the data shows overwhelmingly that these programs help older Americans live higher-quality lives.

The reach of this law is substantial and covers many aspects of elder care beyond just well-known programs like Meals on Wheels. OAA supports services that include: Nutrition programs providing meals at senior centers, schools, and churches; care to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors; family caregiver support systems; and services to help older Americans move into employment.

This reauthorization is the product of bipartisan hard work with Members of the Education and Labor Committee and shows the good that can come from working together. Through productive conversation and compromise, we have successfully authorized grants for States and Area Agencies on Aging, AAAs, responsible for coordinating local services for older individuals.

Specifically, the supportive services program funds a wide range of social services aimed at helping our older population remain independent in their own homes and communities. These services include, case management, adult daycare, and other numerous activities of senior centers. Additionally, States are required to devote a certain portion of funding to access services, home care, and legal assistance.

Furthermore, local agencies that implement the law on the ground will receive additional clarity about cost-sharing policies designed to increase the cost-effectiveness of OAA programs.

The bill also infuses additional accountability over hardworking taxpayer funds into these programs by requiring programs to demonstrate they met their stated goals prior to receiving a renewal of their grant.

In addition to funding for supportive services and nutrition services, H.R. 4334 also provides for caregiver support. The bill continues support for the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides funds to States to support Americans caring for aging family members.

The program provides a range of services, including information and assistance to caregivers about available services, counseling, organization of support groups and caregiver education, respite services to provide families temporary relief from care-giving responsibilities, and supplemental services to complement care provided by other caregivers.

The bill also provides increased flexibility to states by lifting a cap on the percentage of funds that can go to older relative caregivers, which will allow for additional support for those seniors who have taken responsibility for caring for family members due to the growing problem of opioids in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am very encouraged by the teamwork and bipartisanship that went into this bill. H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act, reflects Congress' commitment to our Nation's seniors and builds upon the law's flexible policies, allowing older Americans to age with health, dignity, and independence in the communities of their choosing.

I would like, again, to thank Representative Stefanik for her diligent work on this legislation and Chairman Scott for his commitment to bipartisanship. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this reauthorization that will benefit an entire generation of older Americans.

In closing, I would like to again thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), and our colleagues and our staff on the Education and Labor Committee for all of their work on this bipartisan bill that will help improve the lives of millions of seniors across the country.

As I said at the beginning of this debate, my district is home to one of the largest constituencies of older Americans, so I could not be prouder to have led the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which will directly and tangibly benefit the seniors in New York's 21st District and seniors across the country.

Our Nation's seniors deserve to age with health, dignity, and independence in the communities of their choosing. Again, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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