Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), which recently passed the House with my strong support, means improved services to some of our most vulnerable older Americans. The Older Americans Act is the major federal legislation that provides for the delivery of supportive and nutritional services for the elderly.

Services include the popular "Meals on Wheels" program and other help like transportation, information and referral to home care and recreation. The OAA also funds a new family caregiver support program to aid in home-based family care, research activities, elder rights protection services, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which provides seniors the opportunity to continue working in the community.

The bill makes three important improvements to the current law: 1) ensures flexibility and streamlines OAA services; 2) improves the performance of senior employment programs; and 3) targets resources to seniors who are the most in need.

I have heard from seniors across the district about how important these services are to them, and I am pleased that the House was able to act on this much needed legislation.