U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) said House passage of a bill on Tuesday to improve community-based services for seniors was a step toward keeping promises to older generations.
The House of Representatives approved the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act, S. 192, which would renew and strengthen a variety of community services for seniors and their caregivers.
“Bipartisan, bicameral action to comprehensively reauthorize the Older Americans Act is an important step in keeping the promises we made to the generations that raised us and have made this country great,” Gibson said. “Working to protect our nation’s seniors in Washington is an honor, and I am especially proud to have partnered with our county offices of the aging and seniors from around the 19th district to spread awareness of this critical legislation. I deeply appreciate their guidance and advocacy.”
Gibson, the author of a previous OAA reauthorization bill, headed up a recent letter asking the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to make the bill a priority. Sixty-five members of Congress signed the letter.
The OAA supports programs that provide community meals, senior housing, family caregiver support, home-based care and community service employment. The bill also supports services that prevent elder abuse and neglect.
The OAA Reauthorization Act would renew and strengthen those services and would direct presidential administrations to direct technical assistance to states to make rides more available to seniors.