The John A. Hartford Foundation Congressional Briefing Recording: Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act - What’s at Stake
The John A. Hartford Foundation held a virtual, nonpartisan Congressional Briefing on September 22, "Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act: What’s at Stake." The slides from the briefing are available to download.
The briefing explored the impact of the Older Americans Act on the health and independence of adults 60+ and their family caregivers.
The Older Americans Act (OAA):
- Has been introduced for Congressional reauthorization and refunding
- Helps people aged 60 and older live independently rather than in more costly nursing homes, reducing financial strain on state Medicaid budgets and family caregivers
- Provides $2 billion in grants to trusted state and local organizations, which offer meals, transportation, caregiver support, employment training and other services to 1 in 6 older adults nationwide:
- 40% live below the poverty line
- 30% live in rural areas
- Provides additional funding to support tribal elders and to prevent elder abuse
- Delivers nearly 2x the return on investment of every taxpayer dollar
- Coordinates fragmented services across the federal government on behalf of older adults
Speakers included:
- Rani E. Snyder, MPA (moderator), acting president, The John A. Hartford Foundation
- Abby Cox, MSW, senior director of aging policy, ADvancing States
- Amy Gotwals, chief of public policy and external affairs, USAging
- Bob Blancato, president, Matz, Blancato and Associates; national coordinator, Elder Justice Coalition; executive director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs
Watch the recording here:
Access the resources from the briefing:
- KFF Issue Brief: What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services It Provides to Older Adults
- ADvancing States Infographic: National Older Americans Act ROI Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Mon Ami Resource: Generate a State-specific OAA ROI Infographic
- Justice in Aging Issue Brief: Supporting Tribal Elders Through the Older Americans Act
- National Alliance for Caregiving Resource: The Older Americans Act (OAA) Advocacy Toolkit: Reauthorize OAA
- National Rural Health Association Policy Brief: Older Americans Act: Greatest Economic and Social Needs of Rural Older Adults
Watch the briefing recording.
Download the briefing slides.
Learn more about the OAA.
