[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6386876,"mediaKeyId","2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5","parentId",2117549,"title","Advocates and witnesses press Congress to shore up income supports, Older Americans Act and Medicaid home‑and‑community services","audioSeconds",271,"startMs",1955000,"endMs",2226000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5&start=1955&end=2226","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5/thumbnail_1955000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6386876/Advocates-and-witnesses-press-Congress-to-shore-up-income-supports-Older-Americans-Act-and-Medicaid-homeandcommunity-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386876-40f7b31b750cecaa5f0e955aa74a5b28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442943&Signature=kxJDfCdmjh2rAFc16rxZ2rkYBogACG1cx9lD4yiQfY3AhhV~jBNqMywvw4nEgHmFhF-RlVs7hoDNrqFcgvU~joiJQ4AuExmrAYMCaNLtZfnWJmwFOfCCtRDsNViTLFiIGo4XTBakPiW6ljxnG0ZPwaJwpRB5YfTgH-efu9g0N9XqnBMe53KxKKKziNa-V3lhSXhv6MZaO6g36mRNAfAsqftKK8ub~vgXjmKAkymoGAYb9NImjdZLY5Ss73vcmsIe~NQ19fiSXNEktUi0c-MEqpvMHwoBuxEM6veziH6~Ug0XiQEvdtr1LgkAcYU5SFJAO13LZnntuNs~lwQwTZroXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aging (Special)","date","2025-01-15T00:00:00Z","article","Maria Alvarez, executive director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council, told the Senate Special Committee on Aging that income insecurity is widespread among older Americans. \"The reality is that 1 in 3 senior citizens are not making ends meet. Their incomes are under 200% of the federal poverty level, roughly $30,000 a year,\" she said, and warned that homelessness among older adults is rising in some areas.

Alvarez credited Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act with forming a critical framework for dignity and stability, but she said these programs need stronger funding and modernization to reflect demographic changes. She urged convening the White House Conference on Aging and noted that area agencies on aging and community‑based services remain essential touchpoints for seniors.

On Medicaid and home‑and‑community‑based services (HCBS), witnesses and senators said these supports allow many older adults to remain at home and are more cost‑effective than institutional care. Dr. Don Carr told senators that cuts to Medicaid HCBS would likely push more people into nursing facilities or onto family caregivers, increasing overall system costs and caregiver burdens.

Committee members highlighted caregiver strain. Witnesses and senators cited studies and testimony indicating family caregivers often shoulder substantial financial costs; Alvarez said family caregivers can spend an average of about 20% of their income on the person they care for. Senators asked about expanding Medicare Savings Programs and other targeted supports that reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for beneficiaries.

Members also discussed prescription drug affordability. Witnesses and senators praised recently enacted caps and the Inflation Reduction Act provisions that limit insulin costs and annual out‑of‑pocket spending, and said more work is needed to ensure seniors can afford medications without sacrificing other needs.

No formal committee votes or directives were recorded; witnesses recommended program funding increases, outreach to caregivers, and stronger payment and coverage policies to preserve community‑based care.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Improving Wellness Among Seniors: Setting a Standard for the American Dream Jan 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses told the Senate Aging Committee that income insecurity, rising housing and health costs, and insufficient funding for Older Americans Act programs and Medicaid home‑and‑community‑based services threaten seniors' ability to age with dignity; witnesses urged increased funding and stronger outreach to caregivers.","taxTitle","Aging (Special), Special, Select and Other Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2006,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6386881,"Charlotte County sheriff describes local senior outreach, search and fraud‑prevention efforts",554,1324000,1878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5&start=1324&end=1878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","/articles/6386881/Charlotte-County-sheriff-describes-local-senior-outreach-search-and-fraudprevention-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386881-9da4a608a8967850e290c67ab2647103/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442943&Signature=F7Xa9hlZ5AWhJyHZ9Y7EhKxnT2cDi22PCdfu-DjqAJnJGXpJWUDhP1QECfmGSIv44boyGTFehcJGh9Jy3XRP~sPzlErsADCVOGK8Qo1K~8mXz9MK7wFJFqolQK-8LLsIlFACfWZo3EG33~L-qz7GGYZ-lIEm2B0RNgG4gSyg1OadlZq0RJ9SeLOd~8WUR~e2XoEtq3TRY-t0vp60BbJJ-ZTdY3~wbX3USZBk1MZyMqyw7Z~llQh4RQaugwIVuWScRVmYl6kVYtb-LwA-MhlCZ0DG05iwYnzEnHTodfHrBTe95cGbG0qbBAkYcpzY4iz0IYTDvQKMegph0clc4J5ByQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Bill Prummell of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office told the Senate Special Committee on Aging that his office runs several programs aimed at protecting older residents and keeping them engaged in the community.

Prummell described a senior outreach program in which volunteers call participants—often adults over 60 who are disabled or living alone—twice weekly. \"If we don't hear from them, there's a scheduled time in which we contact them. If we're unable to get in touch with them, we send somebody out to their house to make sure that they are okay,\" he said.

He outlined programs used by the sheriff's office: Project Lifesaver (GPS tracking bracelets for individuals prone to wandering), DNA scent kits to assist canine units, an operation pill drop for secure medication disposal, vehicle decals that alert deputies to a passenger who may require special attention, key‑tag lockout return programs, and a citizen police academy that many seniors attend. \"If there's a need and we can't provide it, we find somebody that can,\" Prummell said.

On fraud prevention, Prummell recommended proactive community education and a simple household \"safe word\" family members share to foil jail‑or‑arrest bail scams. He told senators, \"A lot of these scams are very, very difficult to track down... many of your offenders are not just outside your state normally, but they're outside the country.\" Several senators asked about federal resources and whether federal agencies should focus more investigative capacity on transnational elder‑fraud schemes.

Maria Alvarez, executive director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council and leader of New York's Senior Medicare Patrol activities, described common fraud trends: fraudulent durable‑medical‑equipment billing (for example, multiple back braces charged to a beneficiary's Medicare number), sweepstakes and romance scams, and COVID‑era frauds tied to false mailings or fake new Medicare cards. She described a model of training trusted community partners and peer educators to amplify outreach and said her organization operates helplines and community outreach to reach hard‑to‑reach populations.

The witnesses emphasized that many law enforcement resources and federal investigative thresholds limit pursuit of smaller fraud cases, and that victims rarely recover lost funds.","The Charlotte County Sheriff and nonprofit advocates told the Senate Aging Committee about local programs to protect seniors, including outreach phone checks, GPS tracking bracelets for those prone to wandering, DNA scent kits, medication disposal, volunteer programs and partnerships to address scams.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6386886,"Witnesses urge Congress to expand evidence‑based wellness programs for older Americans",416,2750000,3166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5&start=2750&end=3166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5/thumbnail_2750000.jpg","/articles/6386886/Witnesses-urge-Congress-to-expand-evidencebased-wellness-programs-for-older-Americans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386886-da6bbd6d79c8dfa7014798e49d63529c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442943&Signature=LsEoO9viDXrG2~i06vOow-AAYcchx22~u9Y-fFA5I-47yzzoZzJGquapEJDQVrqz6fSlxxeVxIj6WzfCJxsTz1oYtiKPTsJmwE1WJX4zRJNOwG3gGEZ0LKB9LcA7lH6W5HG6KxjZxq8wggrcc6kzFtqGPixlrXPL~qiprhq1ywIRrgANKBCgrRwv2I-fpPKhGmH9IeI4~TicNZVWOGZJ8cjwM1FwqUh5V9CbfPdDf7ASQqsa7l5OyWthukEPUqmRcDXKfYyIFcTrKwCPZtbRalYqF~yoMWrImRPFKJaUNc90dyZCEv5uKGoWEIeEyssR~75hmA9wzDEKIA3ivLvrMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Susan Hughes, director of the Center for Research on Health and Aging at the University of Illinois Chicago, told the Senate Special Committee on Aging that evidence‑based health promotion programs reduce disability and can produce large returns if scaled.

Hughes said, \"Fit and Strong costs $300 per participant. It has no harmful side effects and large effect sizes.\" She described the program’s eight‑week curriculum (flexibility, aerobics, systematic lower‑extremity strength training and group problem solving) and said trial participants sustained gains at 18 months, including improved joint pain, strength and mobility.

Hughes urged Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, increase funding for Title III‑D (the program that supports certain evidence‑based health promotion activities) and consider a new funding set‑aside for physical‑activity programs. She said current distribution depends heavily on Title III‑D funds and that \"these funds are critical but insufficient to meet growing demand.\"

Dr. Don Carr, director of the Claude Pepper Center at Florida State University, recommended shifting U.S. aging policy to a life‑course framework that emphasizes prevention and earlier intervention. \"Health problems in later life are strongly influenced by events, exposures, and behaviors that occur well before we reach our later years,\" Carr said, and argued for more mid‑life interventions, retraining and opportunities for phased retirement to support health and employment.

Both witnesses noted barriers to scaling: limited funding flows, lack of reimbursement or incentives for Medicare Advantage plans to adopt wellness programs, and no standardized national distribution pipeline for evidence‑based interventions. Hughes recommended a partnership among the National Institute on Aging, CDC, the Administration for Community Living and CMS to accelerate dissemination.

Members asked about measurable returns and program scalability. Hughes pointed to hypothetical models showing reductions in costly procedures (for example, joint replacements) if physical‑activity programs reduce progression to surgical need and said some public‑health grants have supported state‑level dissemination of Fit and Strong.

Clarifying note: witnesses cited current Title III‑D funding in the hearing record using inconsistent numeric formatting; the written testimony provided to the committee contains detailed funding and program lists (witnesses said they submitted a full list to the record).","Researchers and gerontology experts told the Senate Aging Committee that expanding and better funding evidence‑based health promotion programs, strengthening distribution channels and incentivizing Medicare Advantage to cover wellness supports could improve health outcomes and reduce downstream costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6386891,"Senate Special Committee on Aging outlines bipartisan wellness agenda",255,1023000,1278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5&start=1023&end=1278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117549-1bfe72ae7c27f19faa3498863465baa5/thumbnail_1023000.jpg","/articles/6386891/Senate-Special-Committee-on-Aging-outlines-bipartisan-wellness-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386891-67b1cc8478183fcf8cd890882b80ccb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442943&Signature=NAaEuWDhDY-REfgCw6MBMy3jG377HxQKJfpZQ-8VJ4DZ2mxFW~e7BObq5Qt~eApJBLWBO1IT8IVlvKfuWzJgvUmYyyazeEn7vh79Ia1eD8cnwcahfW-ERI~3ZqfZh5Q52f6vNK-rNpKNDRQ2T4Jp88gu8oNF1CGyAKSt8sZF~99n-ZcePJ7OWfRLcRlzfxPm6HQU8ZyS5RbTGoCvtlnDPxQcIKQcKmWycPOKF1tEhWsiF9OsDSlfK7lT401dsbgWiASqKT58Lhmod~xb-iJQFmR8LaKmqj5Z6z6UbWGA3b9mwAEI~Lfx70TOD8LitDyJugp0myY41v3RKigtpIMKaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Rick Scott, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, said the committee will prioritize measures to improve older Americans’ “physical health, financial security, a safe community to live in, and family and community support.”

Scott said, \"My goal for this committee is to make sure every American senior is able to answer yes to this question, to these questions. Are you well? Because they have secured these 4 things.\" He described aging as a nonpartisan issue and said he intends to work across the aisle with Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand.

Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand of New York framed several policy priorities the committee will pursue, including lowering prescription drug costs, guarding against financial scams, and protecting programs older adults rely on such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. \"I believe that our job is to make sure these resources exist and are robust enough to support those who need them,\" Gillibrand said.

Both leaders said they expect testimony and work to cover wellness broadly, including accessible housing, nutrition supports, area agencies on aging, centers for independent living, and community-based health promotion. Scott emphasized bipartisan cooperation; Gillibrand highlighted continuing oversight of program funding and consumer protections.

The committee then received testimony from invited witnesses representing local law enforcement, nonprofit advocacy, public health research centers and university gerontology programs. Members signaled interest in hearings and legislation related to drug coverage and fraud prevention, plus expansion of evidence‑based wellness programs.

Forward-looking: the chair said the committee will convene further hearings and invited members to submit additional questions and statements to be added to the hearing record.","Chairman Rick Scott and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand opened the Senate Special Committee on Aging’s first hearing of the 119th Congress, setting a bipartisan agenda focused on seniors’ physical health, financial security, public safety and community supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advocates and witnesses press Congress to shore up income supports, Older Americans Act and Medicaid home‑and‑community services

Charlotte County sheriff describes local senior outreach, search and fraud‑prevention efforts

Witnesses urge Congress to expand evidence‑based wellness programs for older Americans

Senate Special Committee on Aging outlines bipartisan wellness agenda