In July 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed two pieces of groundbreaking legislation that strengthened the economic and health conditions of senior citizens in the United States.
On July 14, 1965, President Johnson signed the Older Americans Act (OAA). Two weeks later, on July 30, he signed legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid (left, with former President Harry Truman looking on).
"These three programs, along with Social Security enacted in 1935, have served as the foundation for economic, health and social support for millions of seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families," said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary of Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Because of these programs, millions of older Americans have lived more secure, healthier and meaningful lives."
"The Older Americans Act has quietly but effectively provided nutrition and community support to millions," she continued. "It has also protected the rights of seniors, and in many cases, has been the key to independence."
You can read her entire statement here.
As Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and Chairman of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, wrote recently, funding for the Older Americans Act is in jeopardy. While the OAA supports the programs of social services agencies, it is not an entitlement program, which means congressional funding is not guaranteed. Terri urges Congress and other officials to anticipate the needs of older Americans in the next 20 to 30 years and ensure that funding for the OAA remains stable.
You can read her recent guest editorial in the Canton Repository here.
On July 14, 1965, President Johnson signed the Older Americans Act (OAA). Two weeks later, on July 30, he signed legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid (left, with former President Harry Truman looking on)."These three programs, along with Social Security enacted in 1935, have served as the foundation for economic, health and social support for millions of seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families," said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary of Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Because of these programs, millions of older Americans have lived more secure, healthier and meaningful lives."
"The Older Americans Act has quietly but effectively provided nutrition and community support to millions," she continued. "It has also protected the rights of seniors, and in many cases, has been the key to independence."
You can read her entire statement here.
As Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and Chairman of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, wrote recently, funding for the Older Americans Act is in jeopardy. While the OAA supports the programs of social services agencies, it is not an entitlement program, which means congressional funding is not guaranteed. Terri urges Congress and other officials to anticipate the needs of older Americans in the next 20 to 30 years and ensure that funding for the OAA remains stable.
You can read her recent guest editorial in the Canton Repository here.
No comments:
Post a Comment