Congress passes third COVID-19 response bill

March 26, 2020

After Congress passed an $8.3 billion bill on March 5 that included $250 million for senior nutrition and an increase in federal Medicaid spending, last night the Senate unanimously passed a $2.2 trillion bill featuring important measures we believe will start to address some—but certainly not all—the issues facing older adults in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. We are pleased to see the bill include:

• additional funding for Older Americans Act programs (OAA), including $480 million for nutrition, $200 million for supportive services, and $100 million for caregiver support;
• flexibility for nutrition spending and SCSEP administration; and
• an extension to November 30 for programs set to expire on May 22, such as MIPPA low-income outreach and enrollment, Medicaid HCBS Money Follows the Person Program, and spousal impoverishment protection.

Everything we are hearing from community-based organizations tells us these measures are a good start but will not be enough to meet the rapidly growing demand for the services older adults urgently need. With talks already underway about a fourth round of COVID-19 relief legislation, we will continue advocating for resources that will protect the health and economic security of older adults. Sign up for our Advocacy Alert emails so you can advocate, too.

Sign up for Advocacy Alerts | Read about the bill's health and economic provisions | Read about the bill's emergency funding provisions