Congress Must Reauthorize the Older Americans Act; Here's How You Can Make Your Voice Heard

Did you know that one in three older Americans is economically insecure, living just one bad break away from an economic crisis? Or that one in nine is at-risk for hunger?

Meals On Wheels and other programs supported by the Older Americans Act (OAA) help vulnerable seniors avoid hunger and financial crisis. This groundbreaking legislation, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, strengthened the economic and health conditions of senior citizens in the United States.

As Congress debates OAA funding and reauthorization this fall, we must raise our voices in support of this critical legislation. Our CEO Teresa Barry voiced her concern in an opinion piece that ran in The Repository, the daily paper in Canton, Ohio, in June 2010. As Terri wrote:

"The flexibility of the Older Americans Act enables it to assist a segment of the population that does not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. However, since it is not an entitlement program as those are, and as Social Security is, it is not guaranteed funding by Congress."

That is why Congress must be reminded of the importance of the OAA and the programs it supports.

For more information on the campaign to support the Older Americans Act, visit the One Away website.

July Marks Anniversary of Groundbreaking Legislation for America's Seniors

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.