Chairman Scott Praises House Passage of Dignity in Aging Act

House passes bipartisan legislation to help older Americans age independently and with dignity

WASHINGTON – Today, the House voted unanimously to pass the Dignity in Aging Act, a bipartisan proposal to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) that increases funding for vital programs that help aging Americans live independently and with dignity. The OAA currently serves roughly 11 million older Americans, including 3 million older Americans who regularly rely on OAA programs to meet their basic needs.

The population of Americans age 60 and over has grown more than 60 percent since 2001, but OAA funding has only grown by roughly 20 percent. The Dignity in Aging Act responds to the challenges facing a growing generation of aging Americans. 

Specifically, the bill:

• Authorizes a seven percent funding increase for OAA programs in the first year, then annual six percent increases in the following years;
• Establishes a National Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of HHS;
• Creates an initiative to coordinate federal resources to promote the independence and safety of adults living at home as they age;
• Provides more tailored support to family caregivers who play a vital role in helping again Americans maintain their independence; and
• Puts a stronger focus on addressing social isolation among seniors by empowering local organizations to test local solutions.

To read the fact sheet, click here.

To read the section by section, click here.

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