News Article

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Passes House

October 30, 2019

The House has passed H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act of 2019, which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act.  The bill maintains funding for the work of the long-term care ombudsman program and continued authority for the National Center on Elder Abuse and National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC). 

Other provisions in the bill update elder justice activities to include community outreach and education and further coordination of services to address social isolation. 

For long-term care ombudsman programs, changes ensure that new funding is not supplanted by reducing local, state, or other funding sources; update references to fiscal years from 2000 to 2019; and codify that ombudsman programs may expend funds on the costs of working with volunteers.