Bill Cassidy

I think it is incumbent upon us to say--to get our PBM reform legislation, which we worked on a bipartisan basis in this Committee, signed into law.

Post-COVID, we need to look at and make sure the programs that we are authorizing work.

I am almost thinking, Senator Cassidy, that we should change the name of this Committee to the prevention committee.

Bottom line is here, and what is of concern to this Committee is since 2016, despite increased demand that a massive increase in the number of seniors in America, funding for the Older Americans Act has gone down by nearly 20 percent after…

Let us be clear, this is a point that needs to be made over and over again, these nutrition programs not only provide good nutrition, but anyone who understands the Meals on Wheels program knows that it is important it is not just the…

That is inexcusable in my mind.

I am a little bit kind of befuddled how an agency over which we have jurisdiction declines to come to have oversight conducted.

I think about these throw rugs that are easy to slip upon and somebody breaks their hip.

Thank you, Chairman Sanders. And thank you all for being here. Really a great mission.

If you will, you are not competing for the person who might be doing lawn work out there, but rather you are taking a group of folks who would have maybe more empathy with the clientele, and you are giving them another chance at employment.

I love the idea that you are using--you are finding the win, win, win, if you will.

I defer to Senator Collins.

Senator Cassidy, that is near and dear to my heart.

This year, the HELP Committee will need to pass legislation reauthorizing the program, and I am glad to join Chair Sanders in leading a bipartisan working group.

We have, historically in Congress, come together on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize this, strengthen its support for all seniors.

Post-COVID, we need to look at and make sure the programs that we are authorizing work.

I think it is incumbent upon us to say--to get our PBM reform legislation, which we worked on a bipartisan basis in this Committee, signed into law.

Bottom line is here, and what is of concern to this Committee is since 2016, despite increased demand that a massive increase in the number of seniors in America, funding for the Older Americans Act has gone down by nearly 20 percent after…

So, we have a choice, either we are going to respond to the crises facing seniors, adequately fund these programs, or we don't.

Matter of fact, malnutrition among seniors today costs our society over $50 billion each and every year, a rather an incredible amount of money.

Let us be clear, this is a point that needs to be made over and over again, these nutrition programs not only provide good nutrition, but anyone who understands the Meals on Wheels program knows that it is important it is not just the…

I am almost thinking, Senator Cassidy, that we should change the name of this Committee to the prevention committee.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with you to advance support for older adults and their family caregivers.

If you will, you are not competing for the person who might be doing lawn work out there, but rather you are taking a group of folks who would have maybe more empathy with the clientele.

Let the record show I slapped my head.