District Office:
3000 Corporate Exchange Dr.
Suite 310
Columbus, Ohio 43231
Phone: (614) 523-2555
Fax: (614) 818-0887

Washington DC Office:
Phone: (202) 225-5355
Fax: (202) 226-4523

 
Search Legislation

Search by Bill Number
 
Search by Keyword
Home   /   News   /   News Item

Contact: Bruce Cuthbertson

Tiberi: Partisanship put Aside as Congress Passes Final Version of Older Americans Act Rewrite


Washington, Oct 2 -

Congress has approved the final version of legislation sponsored by Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Delaware County) renewing the nation's commitment to services for senior citizens provided under the Older Americans Act.

“In this most highly partisan of years, we’ve been able to work on a bipartisan basis to do the right thing for seniors,” said Tiberi, Chairman of the Select Education Subcommittee.

The legislation was approved by both the House and Senate last week and will be sent to the President for his signature. It renews and improves the programs authorized through the Older Americans Act.

“Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), the top Democrat subcommittee member, worked closely with me in putting this bill together. Both of us went across the country, to Westerville, Ohio and Edinburg, Texas to hear from seniors, program providers and others about how we can provide services more effectively.

“Working together, Republicans and Democrats, for the benefit of our seniors is an example of Congress at its best.”

Tiberi said some programs in his legislation, such as those providing meals and nutritional services for seniors, are well known. Just as important are others that include community service employment, abuse prevention, in-home care, and the long-term care ombudsman program.

The House unanimously approved Tiberi’s original legislation this past June. A Senate committee subsequently passed a similar bill. The final measure was negotiated by House and Senate members, and largely reflects the original House legislation.

It is estimated that more than 36 million people in the United States are over the age of 65, and that number will rise sharply in future years. This year, members of the Baby Boom generation begin turning 60, the age at which they become eligible for benefits under the Older Americans Act. In 2011, the first "boomers" will reach 65 and by 2030, it is projected that one in five people will be 65 or older.

"Keeping up with these numbers and changing needs is a huge challenge,” said Tiberi,” but our bill makes great strides in doing so," He noted several steps his legislation takes to meet those challenges:

  • Promoting measures – such as nutrition programs and health screenings – that reduce seniors’ risk of injury, disease, or disability;
  • Improving access to health care by supporting resource centers in every community where older Americans and their families can go for reliable information about long-term care options, community support services, and important health benefits such as Medicare prescription drug coverage; and
  • Encouraging states and communities to plan for an increasing number of older Americans.

The bill also includes a provision inserted by Tiberi that deals with an issue discussed at his hearing in Westerville. That provision expands the eligibility for federal assistance to more people who act as caregivers for persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

Print version of this document