n4a Legislative Update 02-20-2020
New Analysis of OAA Reauthorization Bill as Congress Nears the Finish Line!
February 20, 2020
February 20, 2020
Lawmakers are in their districts and states this week, which is a perfect time for local advocates to engage with Members of Congress about supporting the bipartisan, bicameral bill, Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, H.R. 4334, to authorize vital OAA programs for five years through 2024! Although Senators were not able to approve the measure before breaking for the Presidents’ Day recess, we are hopeful that lawmakers will pass it shortly after they return to DC next week.
But that doesn’t give advocates this week off!
We’ve added a new tool to our suite of advocacy resources that’s for n4a members only. Released today, our Analysis of Key Provisions outlines what’s in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 text, n4a’s take on relevant provisions and what the changes mean for n4a members.
A reminder that the bill is a modest piece of legislation—as most bipartisan bills are—but it also contains many of n4a’s OAA reauthorization priorities. n4a has endorsed the measure and led an effort securing support for the bill from 120 other national organizations!
What’s in H.R. 4334?
For the full scoop on this important bill, see n4a’s detailed analysis!
Don’t have time to read all the details now? Here’s a list of key provisions promoted by n4a and included in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020:
But that doesn’t give advocates this week off!
We’ve added a new tool to our suite of advocacy resources that’s for n4a members only. Released today, our Analysis of Key Provisions outlines what’s in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 text, n4a’s take on relevant provisions and what the changes mean for n4a members.
A reminder that the bill is a modest piece of legislation—as most bipartisan bills are—but it also contains many of n4a’s OAA reauthorization priorities. n4a has endorsed the measure and led an effort securing support for the bill from 120 other national organizations!
What’s in H.R. 4334?
For the full scoop on this important bill, see n4a’s detailed analysis!
Don’t have time to read all the details now? Here’s a list of key provisions promoted by n4a and included in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020:
- Reauthorizing the OAA for five years through FY 2024
- Increasing authorized funding levels: a seven percent increase is recommended for the first year, with six percent increases in each subsequent year through FY 2024, totaling a 35 percent increase over five years
- Language clarifying that AAAs can, outside of the OAA, engage in private pay, integrated care and other arrangements to expand services
- Removing the Title III E funding cap on grandfamilies and older relative caregivers
- Authorizing an HCBS grant demonstration program for Title VI Native American aging programs to enhance the capacity of Title VI programs to support wrap-around supportive services to Native American elders in tribal country. The bill also authorizes $500k in additional annual funding for Title VI programs.
- Establishing a research, demonstration and evaluation center for the Aging Network to improve assessment and promote advancement of the relationship between OAA programs and services and health outcomes
- Encouraging states to work with AAAs to address potential administrative barriers to transferring funds between nutrition programs to best meet local needs
The Time to Get Loud Is Now!
While we don’t anticipate major hurdles to Senate or House approval when they return next week, aging advocates should use this congressional recess week to connect with lawmakers in their communities about the importance of supporting Older Americans Act reauthorization.
Check out n4a’s recent Advocacy Alert for ideas to engage your grassroots and community stakeholders and we encourage you to use the tools and templates provided in n4a’s OAA Reauthorization Toolkit to assist your efforts!
OAA reauthorization is very close to the finish line, but it will take all voices weighing in to get it done soon!
And, don’t forget to register for the upcoming n4a Aging Policy Briefing & Capitol Hill Day, March 17-18 in Washington, DC, to stay fully up-to-date on the latest news on OAA reauthorization, implementation, funding and many other critical aging and health care policy updates!
----
This Legislative Update is an n4a membership benefit. For more information about these and other federal aging policy issues, please contact n4a’s policy team: Amy Gotwals and Autumn Campbell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 202.872.0888.