By Matt Gontarchick
On September 18, the House Education and Labor
Committee unanimously approved
by voice vote H.R. 4334, the
Dignity in Aging Act of 2019. The bill would reauthorize the Older Americas Act
(OAA), which expires at the end of the month. Discussion on the legislation was
overwhelmingly amicable, with members from both parties highlighting the
importance of OAA programs in helping the nation’s seniors age in their
communities and live longer, healthier lives.
The Dignity in Aging Act would reauthorize the
OAA for a five-year period. Notably, it includes an inflation-adjusted seven
percent increase in funding for OAA programs in the first year, followed by a
six percent increase in each of the four years that follow. The bill would also
create an initiative to coordinate federal resources to promote the
independence and safety of adults living at home, provide more tailored support
for family caregivers, and place a stronger emphasis on addressing social
isolation.
The committee also unanimously adopted an amendment in the nature of a
substitute (AINS) from Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), who
initially introduced H.R. 4334. Bonamici’s AINS contains several bipartisan
proposals that would create a new national technical assistance center
dedicated to expanding aging networks’ capacity to deliver person-centered
services for older Americans who have suffered from traumatic events, such as
veterans and Holocaust survivors. The amendment also clarifies that religious,
cultural, or ethnic requirements fall within the cultural considerations and
preferences that senior meal programs to must accommodate for. Finally, it
would support seniors with disabilities through an evidence-based program for
home assessments, modifications, and fall prevention.
In the discussion that followed, most
committee Democrats praised the bill for its increase in funding for OAA
programs. In their remarks, many cited America’s growing senior population as a
justification for the higher funding levels. Additionally, several members
including Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Susie Lee
(D-NV) highlighted provisions of the bill that would support the direct
care workforce. The committee’s Republican members largely commented positively
on bill, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), one of the underlying bill’s
cosponsors, called attention to a provision based on the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Act
that would ensure OAA programs support individuals of any age diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease.
The only notable criticism of the OAA
reauthorization bill came from Rep. Glenn Grothmann (R-WI). He proposed
that most OAA programs could be better carried out on the state or local level,
and he lamented the amount of red tape that some of the newer programs would
potentially generate. Nonetheless, Grothmann stated that he would vote in favor
of the bill due to his support for Meals on Wheels. Similarly, Ranking
Member Virginia Foxx (R-NC) raised some concerns regarding an amendment to
the AINS from Bonamici that would codify the National Resource Center on Women
and Retirement Planning. Foxx said the center could be more effectively run by
private entities without the use of taxpayer dollars. Nonetheless, Foxx
committed to support the amendment out of respect for the bipartisan OAA
reauthorization process.
Next Steps
The OAA is currently set to expire on
September 30. While the committee favorably reported H.R. 4334 as amended to
the House floor, during the markup, committee leaders did not comment on the
timeline for next steps. Additionally, House leadership has yet to weigh in on
when the bill will be considered. In the Senate, legislation to reauthorize the
OAA has yet to be formally introduced, although a discussion draft was released
on June 5.
Outlook
The OAA’s prospects for reauthorization by the
September 30 deadline are doubtful. The end of the current fiscal year also
falls on September 30, and Congress must pass a continuing resolution to ensure
the federal government remains open through the end of the month. Discussions
have included funding the government through mid-November, allowing lawmakers
additional time to finalize spending bills and other pending legislation like
the OAA. Other items occupying lawmakers’ agenda in September include legislation
to address surprise medical bills and high prescription drug prices. Despite a
busy Congressional calendar, an OAA reauthorization is not out of the question
for later in the year. Programs supporting older Americans enjoy wide
bipartisan support and reauthorizing the OAA’s programs at higher spending
levels could be an easy win for many Members of Congress.
If Congress fails reauthorize the OAA by the
end of the month, however, OAA programs will continue to receive funding at
current levels, as already dictated by the appropriations process. H.R. 4334 is
an authorization bill, which only establishes or modifies programs as well as
sets the amount that can be spent on a certain program.
Amendments
Bonamici Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Enhances Holocaust survivor outreach efforts
and codifies the National Resource Center on Women and Retirement Planning.
Guthrie Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Includes chronic pain management in the
definition for “disease prevention and health promotion services.”
Johnson Amdt.—passed by Voice Vote: Directs the Assistant Secretary for Aging at
the Health and Human Services Department to share best practices with state and
local agencies to address the needs of older individuals in the preparation of
emergency response plans.
Takano Amdt.—Withdrawn. Advances policies to address the unique needs
of LGBTQ seniors.
Morelle Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Clarifies that the triennial report required
by the Assistant Secretary of Aging will include information about the
availability of consumer-friendly resources related to home assessments and
home modifications for older individuals attempting to live independently at
home.
Thompson Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Extends the authorization for the Supporting
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act to four years after the date of
enactment.
Wild Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Includes screening for suicide risk to the
definition of “disease prevention and health promotion services.”
Keller Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Includes screening for fall-related traumatic
brain injury, coordination of treatment, rehabilitation and related services,
and referral services in the definition for “disease prevention and health
promotion services.”
Harder Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Includes caregivers as members of the
advisory council on social isolation.
Underwood Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Includes responses to public health
emergencies and emerging health threats in the definition of “disease
prevention and health promotion services.”
Jayapal Amdt.—Passed by Voice Vote: Directs the Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Age-Friendly Communities to support the ability of older
individuals to age in place through the provision of homelessness services.
About the author: Matt Gontarchick is an Associate with Chamber
Hill Strategies, a public policy and advocacy consulting firm in
Washington, D.C.
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