Longer, Healthier lives

Friends,

Americans are living longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

There are many reasons for this progress; an important one is the passage of Medicare in 1965. When President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law, it changed aging in America.

Before Medicare, few seniors could afford comprehensive insurance, and a single surgery or trip to the hospital often meant financial ruin. Thanks to Medicare, that’s a thing of the past.

Earned benefits like Medicare and Social Security provide critical protection against poverty for seniors. But, as we recently discussed at the White House Conference on Aging, there are many other challenges seniors face – including isolation, immobility, age discrimination, elder abuse, and financial scams.

The Older Americans Act (OAA), first signed into law around the same time as Medicare, addresses many of these challenges through programs like Meals on Wheels, elder justice support, and assistance for family caregivers. The OAA needs to be reauthorized so these programs can better serve our seniors, now and into the future. The U.S. Senate acted to renew the OAA earlier this month, and I am working hard to pass a similar measure in the U.S. House.

The availability of food delivery or transportation services can make a major difference for seniors living alone. Delivering Meals on Wheels around the district, I’ve seen how important a simple check-in can be for homebound seniors. We can’t afford to let programs like this lapse – in fact, we should be doing more to invest in the health and wellbeing of older Americans.

We owe it to our elders to safeguard Medicare, Social Security, and to renew the Older Americans Act. I'll keep working to make sure our seniors have the support they need.

With appreciation,