Hatch Lauds Passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015
Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, senior Republican in the United States Senate and member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions issued the following statement on the passage of the Older Americans Act:
“The Older Americans Act (OAA) organizes and delivers home- and community-based services that are vital to seniors, and I’m pleased the Senate has passed this important bill today. This reauthorization represents a commonsense effort to streamline the federal administration of programs, place emphasis on evidence-based programs, eliminate outdated programs, and improve coordination between federal, state, and local programs. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee to include some significant programmatic improvements that will keep older adults independent and healthy.”
Background
Summary:
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OAA provides for the organization and delivery of social and nutritional services to older Americans and their care givers; reauthorizes programs through FY18;
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Revises the Title III Grants to States Formula to reflect recent population trends while limiting the negative adjustment to states over 3 years;
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Streamlines federal administration of programs, places emphasis on evidence based programs, eliminates outdated programs and improves coordination between federal, state, and local programs.
Key Hatch-Led/Supported Provisions:
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Elder Abuse: updates definitions, promotes data collection, & state response training;
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Long-term Care Ombudsman Program: clarifies role and allows private unimpeded service to any resident of long term care facilities regardless of age;
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Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): improves coordination of services and emphasizes independent living and community-based services;
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National Family Caregiver Support Program: clarifies older adults caring for children and adults with disabilities as eligible to participate;
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Updates references to mental health: includes “behavioral health” to reflect Aging Networks current practice;
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Home Care: directs the development of a consumer tool to assist individuals/families in choosing home and community-based services.
