Ray's Round Up: "Then and Now" Update on Two Federal Issues

Earlier this year AARP PA State President Jim Palmquist and staff met with Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation to discuss a number of issues affecting older Americans.  A few of the issues that were discussed have moved forward recently.  Here’s a “then and now” that describe the issues and recent developments:

 

THEN – The Older Americans Act covers an array of programs and services that help seniors stay in their homes and communities, get age-appropriate meals, access abuse prevention services, transportation assistance, information referrals, opportunities to serve their communities, and ensuring they maximize their independence and dignity, all while cutting health care costs.  There is broad agreement that the Older Americans Act works, yet the bill expired in 2011.  AARP strongly supported the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act with no harm to existing programs.

NOW – On July 16, the US Senate passed a reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and sent it to the US House of Representatives.  The legislation is now before the House Committee on Education and Workforce, which has two members from Pennsylvania, Reps. Lou Barletta, from Hazleton, and Rep. Glenn Thompson, from Bellefonte.

 

THEN – Helping caregivers succeed is an important priority for AARP.  AARP supports the ACT Caucus to help educate both the House and Senate about caregiving issues.  AARP seeks a bi-cameral and bi-partisan forum to discuss these issues and hopefully develop support for caregiving legislation.  Therefore AARP PA asked the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation join the ACT Caucus, emphasizing its important to PA constituents. AARP PA was informed that many congressional members were planning to join the ACT Caucus.

NOW – The ACT Caucus continues to attract Members of Congress concerned about caregiving issues.  We hope all Pennsylvania Senators and Representatives will become members of this important caucus.  The ACT Caucus is still organizing and hopes to announce its membership later this year.

 

Upcoming News/Events

On August 11 ^th, special elections will be held for three vacant PA House of Representatives seats. Turnout is expected to be very light for this election, which would fill seats for the 174 ^th District, formerly represented by John Sabatina, the 191 ^st, formerly represented by Ronald Waters, and the 195 ^th, formerly represented by Michelle Brownlee, all in Philadelphia.

 

“Ray’s Round Up” features updates on current state and federal issues by Ray Landis, AARP PA’s Advocacy Manager.