The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced legislation on a 20-1 vote Wednesday to authorize new funding for programs serving older adults as well as research initiatives for autism and traumatic brain injuries.
Chair Bernie Sanders’ bill reauthorizing the Older Americans Act would permit Congress to appropriate more than $2.7 billion in funding in the next fiscal year and boost spending by 44 percent over the next five years.
The Older Americans Act, enacted in 1965, supports programs that deliver meals and medical services like health screenings and transportation to a doctor’s office. Nearly half of the funding goes to continuing meal delivery services, like Meals on Wheels, and other meal programs in senior centers.
“Seniors throughout our country, particularly in rural areas, lack the transportation they need to get to a doctor’s office, to a grocery store or the dentist. That should not be happening in the United States, the richest country in the history of the world,” said Sanders, a Vermont independent.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted by proxy, was the only senator to vote no.
Separately, the committee also approved legislation to reauthorize funding for autism research and the effects of traumatic brain injury.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the sponsor of the autism research bill, said it would support and develop programs that benefit children with autism throughout their lives.
It would also support workforce programs that educate health care professionals on how to treat neurodivergent patients.
“This bill will continue the successful programming across HHS that helps us better understand the causes and symptoms of the autism spectrum disorder and improve the lives of families affected by it,” said bill co-sponsor Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) sponsored the traumatic brain injury research bill, which targets at-risk populations, like young people who play sports and domestic violence victims.
Senators approved both the autism and brain injury bills 20-1, with Paul opposed.
What’s next? The measures can now go to the Senate floor. If they pass there, the House would still need to take up the legislation to enact it.
Even if the Senate and House reach agreement on the programs, appropriations legislation will ultimately determine how much Congress spends.
Senate panel approves legislation to reauthorize supports for older Americans
politicopro.com
August 1, 2024 4:05 pm
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee advanced legislation on a 20-1 vote Wednesday to authorize new funding for programs serving older adults as well as research initiatives for autism and traumatic brain injuries.
Chair Bernie Sanders’ bill reauthorizing the Older Americans Act would permit Congress to appropriate more than $2.7 billion in funding in the next fiscal year and boost spending by 44 percent over the next five years.
The Older Americans Act, enacted in 1965, supports programs that deliver meals and medical services like health screenings and transportation to a doctor’s office. Nearly half of the funding goes to continuing meal delivery services, like Meals on Wheels, and other meal programs in senior centers.
“Seniors throughout our country, particularly in rural areas, lack the transportation they need to get to a doctor’s office, to a grocery store or the dentist. That should not be happening in the United States, the richest country in the history of the world,” said Sanders, a Vermont independent.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted by proxy, was the only senator to vote no.
Separately, the committee also approved legislation to reauthorize funding for autism research and the effects of traumatic brain injury.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the sponsor of the autism research bill, said it would support and develop programs that benefit children with autism throughout their lives.
It would also support workforce programs that educate health care professionals on how to treat neurodivergent patients.
“This bill will continue the successful programming across HHS that helps us better understand the causes and symptoms of the autism spectrum disorder and improve the lives of families affected by it,” said bill co-sponsor Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) sponsored the traumatic brain injury research bill, which targets at-risk populations, like young people who play sports and domestic violence victims.
Senators approved both the autism and brain injury bills 20-1, with Paul opposed.
What’s next? The measures can now go to the Senate floor. If they pass there, the House would still need to take up the legislation to enact it.
Even if the Senate and House reach agreement on the programs, appropriations legislation will ultimately determine how much Congress spends.