Moran sponsors legislation to reauthorize Older Americans Act

News Release:

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently sponsored the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 192), which would reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). The measure would update the OAA for the first time in almost a decade and was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Feb. 3, 2015.

“The availability of health, nutrition and community services – such as those available through the Older Americans Act – often determines whether Kansas seniors can remain in the communities they call home,” Sen. Moran said. “Reauthorization of this law is long overdue. I urge the Senate to take up this important legislation and look forward to voting for the measure.”

This bipartisan bill would update and improve OAA programs, such as Meals on Wheels and other senior nutrition initiatives serving Kansans through 2018. It would also support senior centers and senior transportation programs, strengthen elder abuse protections, and improve coordination of senior programs among local, state and federal governments.

Since enactment of the OAA in 1965, Congress has reauthorized and amended the act numerous times, including most recently in 2006. Although reauthorization of the measure is more than three years overdue, Congress has continued to fund OAA activities. The OAA directs the delivery of a wide range of social services and programs for older persons.

These services include supportive services; home-delivered nutrition services; family caregiver support; and services to prevent the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older persons. This law also helps support senior centers in Kansas, which serve as a base for a wide range of important services such as Meals on Wheels, health screenings, counseling and other support services for seniors and their families.