2006 Position Resolutions
- Older Americans Act Reauthorization Resolution
- FY 2007 Appropriations Resolution
- Elder Justice Resolution
OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION
Approved by the NANASP membership July 1, 2006
WHEREAS: The delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging voted as their top resolution to reauthorize the Older Americans Act within six months after the Conference;
WHEREAS This six month period has now passed and to date the full House and the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee have passed a multi year reauthorization of the Older Americans Act;
WHEREAS: There continue to be differences between the House and Senate bill including nutrition related provisions;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: NANASP will continue to advocate for an OAA Reauthorization bill containing the following elements:
- A five year extension
- Specific authorization levels for the major service programs beyond the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
- Retention of the system of voluntary contributions without adding any income thresholds.
- A first time comprehensive evaluation of the nutrition programs by the Institute on Medicine to be completed within one year after enactment.
- No provisions related to offering a multi vitamin in the congregate nutrition program but should allow multivitamins to be part of the IOM evaluation.
- Continued access to commodities in the simplest method possible. • Reaffirm and strengthen nutrition education and the expertise of dietitians.
- Advance the principles of Choices for Independence as proposed by the Administration and integrate them into the Act as compared to establishing a new demonstration program.
- Must retain the community service elements of the Title V Older Worker program and not impose time limits duration of work for Title V employees who are working in programs benefiting other seniors including the nutrition programs for the elderly.
- Specific elder justice provisions including establishing a new office within the Administration on Aging on elder justice, better data collection, and adding self neglect to the definition of elder abuse.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: NANASP urges Congress to complete action on the Older Americans Act by the end of the Second Session of the 109th Congress.
FY 2007 APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION
Approved by the NANASP membership July 1, 2006
WHEREAS: The President's FY 2007 budget proposed cuts to the Older Americans Act and the elimination of two programs within the Act as well as the elimination of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and a $500million cut in the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG);
WHEREAS: NANASP as an organization and as co-chair of the Community Services Subcommittee of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, came out strongly against this budget and called on Congress to improve it;
WHEREAS: NANASP’s President was invited to testify before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies and advocated for increased funding for nutrition and other programs in the OAA as well as the CSBG and SSBG;
WHEREAS: The House and Senate have passed the FY 2007 Agriculture Appropriations which included a full restoration of funds for the CSFP as well as the $15 million for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; and
WHEREAS: The House Appropriations Committee has passed the FY 2007 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill which restored all cuts to the Older Americans Act from the President's budget as well as restored funding for Title III D and the Alzheimer’s Demonstration Grant Program. In addition, the bill provides increased funding for the Older Americans Act nutrition programs above both last year's levels and the President's budget. In addition, it includes funding for the Community Services Block Grant and maintains the current funding level for the Social Services Block Grant.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: NANASP supports the highest funding level for the FY 2007 Older Americans Act programs, paying special attention to the OAA nutrition programs, of the following:
- the House Bill,
- the Senate Bill, or
- the House-Senate Conference Report.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: NANASP calls on Congress not to approve any across-the-board cuts of any level to the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill or the Agriculture Appropriations bill at any time during FY 2007.
ELDER JUSTICE RESOLUTION
Approved by the NANASP Membership July 1, 2006
WHEREAS: The problem of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation is growing at an alarming rate across the United Nations including almost a 20 percent increase in cases reported to adult protective services in the past year.
WHEREAS: The increase in financial abuse and exploitation cases is especially of concern.
WHEREAS: Of all federal resources spent on abuse prevention, less than 2 percent is spent on elder abuse prevention.
WHEREAS: Bi-partisan legislation called the Elder Justice Act has been pending in each of the past three Congresses.
WHEREAS: NANASP is a member of the Elder Justice Coalition.
WHEREAS: A resolution in support of the Elder Justice Act was adopted by the delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: NANASP calls on Congress to complete action on S. 2010 and H.R. 4993, the bi-partisan Elder Justice Act which includes dedicated funding for adult protective services, provides support for local elder abuse prevention programs and commits greater support for training. NANASP supports inclusion of elder justice language in the final version of the Older Americans Act.
Last modified Tuesday, July 18, 2006.