"Let's end government waste by not having our emergency rooms inundated with people who should not be in emergency rooms or hospital care for people who should not have to be in the hospitals."
"I have been criticized for actually suggesting that we should see a significant increase in funding."
"Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to testify before the subcommittee."
"So I urge and ask all of you and your organizations and people all over this country to stand up for seniors right now, stand up for a cost-effective government."
"In my view, if a nation is to be judged by how it cares for the weakest, the most vulnerable people amongst us, the United States would not get particularly high marks."
"We understand--and this is terribly important as well in this debate--real funding, counting inflation and counting population growth, is significantly less than it was in the 1990s."
"Half of all seniors are unable to afford even basic living expenses or are living right on the edge."
"One of the most effective programs ever designed to address the needs of vulnerable seniors is the Older Americans Act."
"Reauthorizing, improving, and fully funding the Older Americans Act is the least that a grateful nation can do to repay these sacrifices."
"Over 40 percent of those age 65 or older report difficulty or even inability doing such things as walking, shopping, or preparing meals."
"I think, as Ms. Altman was saying, it's an illusion that every senior in America is doing just fine, and we know that the rates of poverty are high and getting higher."