James Comer: “Today's life expectancy rate in our Nation is at a historic high, and that is great news. It also means we need to be…”

“Today's life expectancy rate in our Nation is at a historic high, and that is great news. It also means we need to be doing all we can to ensure that Americans have access to quality, timely services which allow them to live independently in their homes as long as possible. Since 1965, the Older Americans Act, or OAA, has governed the organization and delivery of services for senior citizens throughout the country. With more than 41 million Americans aged 65 and older, the social and nutritional programs offered by OAA are critical to helping them maintain independence. The reach of this law is substantial and covers many aspects of elder care. In addition to well-known programs like Meals on Wheels, OAA supports services provided by more than 300 State organizations and approximately 20,000 local providers. Some of these services include: Nutrition programs providing meals at senior centers, schools and churches; care to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors; family caregiver support systems; and community service employment opportunities for older Americans. These types of programs offer valuable assistance for America's seniors, and we must ensure the law is aging as well as the people it serves. I am proud that our committee has worked together to produce bipartisan, effective legislation to support our Nation's seniors.…”