VI. VII. The goal for equitable distribution of enrollees throughout a state will also quite likely suffer under the lower cap. Again, rural regions are likely to be hurt the most by this development. Unsubsidized placements in the private sector may also decline when the administrative cost ceiling drops. Title V sponsors will look for ways to economize. One possibility is to cut job development costs. This chain of events can cause fewer older Americans to participate in this extraordinarily successful program because the number of enrollees moving into private sector jobs will diminish. The net impact is that there will be even fewer openings for older Americans who want or need to work in the SCSEP. NCBA further urges that the current $5,111 average cost per enrollee be adjusted, for the following reasons: 1. 2. 3. 4. The current average cost has remained in effect for five years, although Title V operating costs have risen in recent years. The Social Security payroll tax has increased in recent years, and will continue to rise during this decade. Title V program administrators have been given new responsibilities by the Department of Labor most notably - in the areas of equitable distribution and higher goals for unsubsidized placements. Title V sponsors now have a new cost. They must pay for audit expenses. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING Lastly, NCBA urges that legislation be enacted to hold a White Hause Conference on Aging no later than 1991. Congress has established a pattern of approving laws for a White House Conference on Aging, which have been held every ten years beginning in 1961. In general, these conferences have produced positive results. Landmark legislative achievements and major improvements in programs for older Americans have received an important boost from earlier White House Conferences on Aging. The list is long and impressive, including Medicare, the Older Americans Act, creation of a National Institute on Aging, increases in Social Security benefits, and numerous other enactments. A White House Conference on Aging can serve other important functions as well. It can provide a means for stock taking to determine what our nation has accomplished and what it has failed to do. It can provide a means to chart long range plans to respond to the problems and challenges of older Americans. And, it can provide forum for the sharing of information to improve public understanding about the impact of an aging society. a NCBA recommends that the legislation authorizing the next White House Conference on Aging include a number of key provisions to help assure its success. First, we urge that it focus more on a few major subjects, such as income needs of the elderly, the minority aged, and long term care. These are merely illustrative examples, but they show how the conference can have more direction. Second, steps must be taken to safeguard the conference from becoming a highly politicized event. No one benefits least of all the elderly -- if the White House Conference on Aging becomes a political football. Third, persons overseeing the White House Conference on Aging should consult closely with national aging organizations and older Americans to make certain that it is relevant and on target. CONCLUSION - - In conclusion, NCBA reaffirms its support for the Older Americans Act. We believe that all Americans whether they are young, middle-aged or older should have a keen interest in assuring that this historic legislation is soundly conceived. Our comprehensive proposals, we sincerely believe, will help to strengthen and improve the Older Americans Act for elderly Blacks and other aged persons. These measures are much-needed. They are realistic. And, they will help to improve the Older Americans Act for the elderly of today and tomorrow, as well as our nation. Mr. BIAGGI. I'd like to recognize the presence of the young lady from Maryland, Mrs. Bentley. STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HELEN DELICH BENTLEY Mrs. BENTLEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to applaud you having this hearing today. I certainly support the extension of the Older Americans Act and ask unanimous consent to submit a statement. Mr. BIAGGI. Without objection, so ordered. [The prepared statement of Mrs. Bentley follows:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HELEN DELICH BENTLEY I AM VERY PROUD TO SERVE ON THIS SELECT COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES ME WITH A FORUM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND VOICE MY CONCERNS, AS WELL AS, TODAY'S HEARING ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THOSE OF MY ELDERLY CONSTITUENTS. THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT PROGRAM PROVIDES SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY. WHILE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS 85 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER WHO ARE AT GREATEST RISK OF EXTENDED NURSING HOME, RESIDENTIAL CARE OR HOME CARE HAS INCREASED BY 57% OVER THE PAST DECADE; THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS FOR OMBUDSMAN AND LEGAL SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THIS GROWING, VULNERABLE POPULATION HAVE BEEN FROZEN. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT EXPIRING IN FY 1987, WE MUST STUDY SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES BEING RAISED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS REAUTHORIZATION. AFTER AN INITIAL STUDY OF THESE SUGGESTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO LEND MY SUPPORT TO THE FOLLOWING: 1. WE MUST STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. 2. WE MUST REINSTATE CERTAIN PROVISIONS PREVIOUSLY REQUIRED BY TITLE 3. WE MUST CAREFULLY CONSIDER NASUA AND N-4A'S TWO RECOMMENDATIONS. FIRST, THAT THE CONCEPT OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORTIVE PERMITTED TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR MANDATORY COST SHARING. 4. INSTEAD OF PLACING A 12% ADMINISTRATIVE CAP ON ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, WE MUST RECOMMEND REINSTATEMENT OF THE 15% LIMITATION OR RETENTION OF THE 13.5% LIMITATION. THE INVALUABLE BENEFITS RESULTING FROM THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT ARE NUMEROUS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IRREPLACEABLE. I AM HONORED TO BE A MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WHICH REALIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS REAUTHORIZATION AND TAKES GREAT INTEREST IN THE RECOMMENDATION OF THOSE AFFECTED. THANK YOU. Mr. BIAGGI. Mr. Bonker. STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DON BONKER Mr. BONKER. Mr. Chairman, I have a statement that I'll submit for the record and also would like to commend you for conducting these hearings. The Older Americans Act, of course, is the basis of all these programs that are so terribly important to senior citizens and it's good to have qualified witnesses give us a sense of how we should improve upon the programs already in place. Thank you. Mr. BIAGGI. Without objection, your statement will be included in the record. [The prepared statement of Representative Don Bonker follows:] PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DON BONKER I am Mr. Chairman, I congratulate you for holding today's hearing on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 1451, the bill introduced by Mr. Kildee reauthorizing the exemplary programs under this Act. Since its enactment in 1965, the Older Americans Act has served as a major link in the nation's system of services to our elderly citizens. The programs authorized under this act have been a model for promoting the independence and dignity of older Americans through the provision of effective and humane services. As the OAA budget has increased from $6.5 million in FY 1966 to over $1.2 billion for FY 1987, the mandate for the Older Americans Act has expanded to include a wide variety of services. These services are provided in senior centers, congregate living facilities, private homes, and other settings throughout the country. The nutrition program under Title III has been particularly visible and successful. Legal services, transportation, counseling, and numerous other services have also immeasurably improved the lives of older Americans. Despite the obvious successes of the programs administered under the OAA, there are still far too many older Americans who are not receiving much needed services. The underserved come from the ranks of the "invisible" elderly whose needs are made both less visible and more acute by virtue of their isolation. These "invisible" elderly include the frail, those isolated because they live in institutions, boarding homes, or dilapidated old hotels, as well as the elderly who are mentally retarded, are members of minority groups, or are geographically located in rural areas. Compassion and rational planning demand that we address these unmet needs. |