Congress must reauthorize the Older Americans Act to keep seniors safe from heat

In a new article published in STAT, Marquisha Johns and Casey Doherty discuss the threat extreme heat poses to older adults, especially those with disabilities, calling on Congress to authorize the Older Americans Act.

Strengthening Health, Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice, Climate Impacts, Disability, Domestic Policy, Environmental and Climate Justice, Extreme Heat, Federal Legislation, Health +6 More

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On Wednesday, Congress passed a temporary spending bill that keeps the government funded beyond Sept. 30. Yet, even in light of lawmakers averting a shutdown, there is another end-of-month deadline looming they’ve largely ignored: expiration of foundational aging and disability legislation called the Older Americans Act (OAA).

The OAA supports the delivery of home and community-based social and services that improve the lives, dignity, safety and wellbeing of older adults. A reauthorization bill was passed in a Senate committee this summer, but further progress has stalled. If Congress doesn’t finalize an OAA bill before or in next year’s omnibus package, critical funding for the supportive services older adults rely on would be threatened.

The above excerpt was originally published in STAT. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Marquisha Johns

Former Associate Director, Public Health

Casey Doherty

Policy Analyst, Disability Justice Initiative

Team

Disability Justice Initiative

We promote policies to ensure disabled people of color and those most marginalized by ableism and other forms of oppression can participate in the economy and democracy.