Action Update

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 Passes in the Senate

July 21, 2015

Exciting news! The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, S. 192 , passed out of the U.S. Senate on July 16th, 2015!  This bill was introduced by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). It would update and strengthen the current Older Americans Act (OAA) and includes provisions that would aid long-term care consumers. Our organization has been pleased to be a supporter of this bill since its introduction earlier this year. Most recently, Consumer Voice signed onto a letter with partner aging organizations to Senate leadership on July 14th, 2015 urging them to pass S. 192.

Thanks to all of you who contacted your Senators asking them to support the bill - you helped make this success happen! The U.S. House of Representatives must now pass legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act for the bill to be signed into law. Stay tuned for information on how you can contact your U.S. House representative to ask them to support passage of this critical legislation To learn why reauthorizing the Older Americans Act is vital for older adults, go to our webpage on the topic here.