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into action, and that is what we would like to examine in this hearing: Why is it not being translated into real action?

Whatever we provide at the present time is done in a fashion which promotes independence and dignity to the elderly with the respect for all they have continued to do for our society.

Unfortunately, the Older Americans Act, in my opinion, is sorely underfunded, leaving many elderly in their homes, isolated and often in life-threatening situations. It has been shown over and over again what a difference the Older Americans Act program can make in the lives of many senior citizens. This translates into a reduction at the present time of 27 percent of real dollars since 1980. In other words, the funding that has been available under the Older Americans Act continues to be at the same level, and if you translate that into what it means in 1980 dollars, it means a reduction of 27 percent.

Today as we focus on the reauthorization of the Act, we are interested in developing ways and means to better serve the elderly: to serve more elderly and to enhance the services and the programs provided in the Act.

To this end, we will discuss the needs, and then we will go on and discuss the ability of the Act to successfully accomplish its legislative mandate of serving the elderly in the best manner. Ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be a very interesting hearing, but may I say that without the testimony that we will hear today, we would be unable to make the proper recommendations.

The experts who will appear today and the members of the committee that know this Act so well will work together to bring about a better atmosphere. We hope that what is recommended, will be passed by the Congress of the United States and signed by the President. That signature by the President is the most important thing that one can get in any Act passed by the Congress. May I now yield to my co-chairman, Mr. Martinez.

[The prepared statement of Mr. Roybal follows:]

OPENING STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN ROYBAL

"Proposed Changes to the Older Americans Act:
Impact on Participation and Service Delivery"

Thursday, April 25, 1991, 9:30 a.m.
2175 Rayburn HOB

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING, I AM PLEASED TO HOLD THIS IMPORTANT HEARING ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT. TODAY WE WILL EXAMINE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES FACING REAUTHORIZATION. WE HAVE A VERY QUALIFIED GROUP OF WITNESSES INCLUDING THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER ON AGING, THE FIRST COMMISSIONER ON AGING, AND A WITNESS WHO HAS BEEN BOTH SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE AND COMMISSIONER ON AGING. THE COMMENTS OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO KNOW THE ACT SO WELL, AND WHO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND INTENT OF THE ACT, SHOULD PROVE TO BE VERY INTERESTING.

AS WE ENTER THE LAST DECADE OF THE TWENTIETH (20TH) CENTURY, WE ARE VERY AWARE OF THE GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION. THE ELDERLY ARE THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION. THIS UNDERSTANDING HOWEVER IN MANY AREAS IS NOT TRANSLATING INTO ACTION.

THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT IS OUR PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY TO PROVIDE MEALS, IN-HOME SERVICES, AND JOBS FOR LOW-INCOME ELDERLY.

ALL OF THIS IS DONE IN A FASHION WHICH PROMOTES THE INDEPENDENCE, AND DIGNITY OF THE ELDERLY, WITH THE RESPECT FOR ALL THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR SOCIETY. THESE PROGRAMS BECOME AN INTEGRAL AND FULFILLING PART OF THEIR LIVES AND MANY TIMES BECOME THE VEHICLE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SERVICE TO SOCIETY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT IS SORELY UNDER-FUNDED LEAVING MANY ELDERLY IN THEIR HOMES, ISOLATED, AND OFTEN IN LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS. IT HAS BEEN SHOWN OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT PROGRAMS CAN MAKE. HOWEVER, THE ACT HAS RECEIVED LEVEL FUNDING THROUGHOUT THE EIGHTIES. THIS TRANSLATES INTO A 27% REDUCTION IN REAL DOLLARS SINCE 1980. SO, AS OUR ELDERLY POPULATION GROWS, THEIR UNMET NEEDS GROW, THEY BECOME OLDER AND MORE FRAIL, BUT THE SERVICES WE ARE MAKING AVAILABLE TO THEM ARE DECREASING!

TODAY AS WE FOCUS ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ACT, WE ARE INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING WAYS TO BETTER SERVE THE ELDERLY. ΤΟ SERVE MORE ELDERLY AND TO ENHANCE THE SERVICES AND THE PROGRAMS PROVIDED FOR IN THE ACT.

TO THIS END, WE WILL DISCUSS:

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FIRST, THE NEEDS AND THE ABILITY OF THE ACT TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH ITS LEGISLATIVE MANDATE OF SERVING THOSE MOST IN NEED THE LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY ELDERLY. WHILE SOME AREAS ARE DOING WELL AT SERVING THE MOST NEEDY, OTHERS ARE NOT. SEVERAL ISSUES SUCH AS TARGETING, DATA COLLECTION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE EXAMINED TO UNDERSTAND HOW BEST TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF THE ACT TO SERVE THOSE MOST IN NEED.

SECOND, WE WILL REVIEW THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT. REAUTHORIZATION PROVIDES US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THE CURRENT STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION. PERHAPS LIGHT CAN BE SHED ON THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WHICH WERE RECENTLY MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). ADDITIONALLY, WE NEED TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE FEDERAL PARTICIPATION IN ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAMS UNDER THE ACT, AND FOLLOWING UP ON HOW WELL THE PROGRAMS ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE OLDER AMERICANS:

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FINALLY, SOME PROPOSALS HAVE CALLED INTO QUESTION THE ENTIRE CHARACTER OF THE ACT. WE WILL EXAMINE THE FUNDING NEEDS OF THE ACT AND THE FUTURE STRUCTURE FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, ESPECIALLY THE LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY ELDERLY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM TODAY'S WITNESSES. IT IS MY HOPE THAT TODAY'S HEARING WILL PROVIDE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE REAUTHORIZATION PROCESS, AND LEAD TO A STRONGER OLDER AMERICANS ACT IN THE FUTURE.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ Chairman MARTINEZ. Thank you, Mr. Roybal. Mr. Chairman, to date we have held in the Human Resource Subcommittee of the Education and Labor Committee five hearings. This will be the sixth in a series of hearings to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which expires in September of this year.

And as we draw to the close of this century, one thing is becoming abundantly clear at least to me: that America is poised on the verge of a golden era both in the culmination of our world leadership in democracy and in the growing maturation of our citizens. Yet, worldwide democracy by which we enrich the political and economic aspirations of other countries and other peoples has not necessarily yielded a harvest of human fulfillment in our own land. A true democracy ultimately empowers all individuals to share in the commonwealth of dignity and self-sufficiency, and while we strive to protect the principles of enfranchisement which enables all people to sow their political destinies, we have been shortsighted to the investment in our own citizenry. We must awake to that challenge of care and vision before it is too late.

Just this past week, the Secretary of Health and Human Services answered that challenge of foresight by taking control of programs and bureaucracies that were within his office and rendered a timely decision of improved services for the families and children in our society. For that bold move, I applaud him and Congress applauds him.

As a part of that reorganization, the Secretary also gave the Administration on Aging a greater independence and elevation in rank_answerable directly to him for administration. We also applaud that action.

I hope that this reorganization marks only the beginning of the recognition of senior service and policy needs. I think that the Administration and Congress both can agree that our Nation's senior citizens deserve and desperately need the means to maintain dignity and independence into their golden years.

We are fortunate today to have officials from the Administration, both past and present, to give us their invaluable views on how we should focus or refocus our essential services and policies for our Nation's elders. I look forward, Mr. Chairman, to hearing the testimony of our esteemed witnesses.

Chairman ROYBAL. May I at this time announce that any members who wish to submit their testimony or their opening statement will do so by unanimous consent. The Chair now will recognize the next person to give an opening statement and that is Mr. Fawell.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS W. FAWELL

Mr. FAWELL. Thank you, Chairman Roybal and Chairman Martinez. I join you in welcoming our guests this morning. Today we have the privilege of hearing from two architects of Older Americans Act programs. Dr. Flemming, who had a hand in designing and implementing the original Act, will be sharing his historical perspective with us and will offer his advice on how we can further strengthen the Act in this reauthorization process.

Mr. Bechill also has a long history with programs that serve our elderly citizens and has served a distinguished term as Commissioner on Aging. I look forward to hearing from these experts.

We have another expert here this morning. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Berry has joined us to share her recommendations about the reauthorization. We are all aware of Dr. Berry's accomplishments as Commissioner on Aging over the past several years. Under her leadership, AoA has been aggressive in creating stronger partnerships with state and local providers and in encouraging innovations of programs that are faced with growing demands.

I understand that over the past year Dr. Berry has held some hearings of her own throughout the country where providers and the elderly people they serve were able to speak directly to her about their needs and concerns. I look forward to her sharing with us today the insights that she gained from these efforts.

The Deputy Inspector General also has some insights to share with us this morning. Over the past two years, the Inspector General has been hard at work evaluating a number of AoA issues. Mr. Mangano's office has a well-known reputation for the high quality and objectivity of its work. As you may know, Mr. Mangano, our subcommittee has heard a great deal of testimony about the controversial issue of cost-sharing for in-home programs. I understand that you have just completed a study of state level programs that use cost-sharing to expand those services. I am certain that your testimony on that study will do much to aid our deliberations in this matter.

Mr. York also has much to add to our work today. The GAO studies have focused on how we can improve the aging network's ability to target services for low-income minority seniors, a goal that I believe we all share. I understand that his testimony will address ways to enhance information collection and technical assistance to program planners and service providers, and I look forward to hearing his recommendations on these important matters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman ROYBAL. Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Mr. Bilbray.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE JAMES H. BILBRAY

Mr. BILBRAY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will summarize very quickly my statement. Basically, I am here to support the Older Americans Act as most members of this committee are. I am bothered, however, by the Bush Administration's proposed cuts in the Older Americans Act specifically in Title V which funds the Senior Community Service Employment Program. This program has enabled low income older Americans to help themselves by working and helping others. This program employs seniors all across America and is a successful program as acclaimed by many community and business leaders.

I, along with many of my distinguished colleagues, signed a letter to Chairman Natcher, urging him not to allow this cut to go through. This program is an example of the success of the Older Americans Act, and, accordingly, any cuts in this funding would be imprudent and unwise. I hope that this committee, from the testi

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

Chairman MARTINEZ. Thank you, Mr. Roybal. Mr. Chairman, to date we have held in the Human Resource Subcommittee of the Education and Labor Committee five hearings. This will be the sixth in a series of hearings to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which expires in September of this year.

And as we draw to the close of this century, one thing is becoming abundantly clear at least to me: that America is poised on the verge of a golden era both in the culmination of our world leadership in democracy and in the growing maturation of our citizens. Yet, worldwide democracy by which we enrich the political and economic aspirations of other countries and other peoples has not necessarily yielded a harvest of human fulfillment in our own land. A true democracy ultimately empowers all individuals to share in the commonwealth of dignity and self-sufficiency, and while we strive to protect the principles of enfranchisement which enables all people to sow their political destinies, we have been shortsighted to the investment in our own citizenry. We must awake to that challenge of care and vision before it is too late.

Just this past week, the Secretary of Health and Human Services answered that challenge of foresight by taking control of programs and bureaucracies that were within his office and rendered a timely decision of improved services for the families and children in our society. For that bold move, I applaud him and Congress applauds him.

As a part of that reorganization, the Secretary also gave the Administration on Aging a greater independence and elevation in rank answerable directly to him for administration. We also applaud that action.

I hope that this reorganization marks only the beginning of the recognition of senior service and policy needs. I think that the Administration and Congress both can agree that our Nation's senior citizens deserve and desperately need the means to maintain dignity and independence into their golden years.

We are fortunate today to have officials from the Administration, both past and present, to give us their invaluable views on how we should focus or refocus our essential services and policies for our Nation's elders. I look forward, Mr. Chairman, to hearing the testimony of our esteemed witnesses.

Chairman RoYBAL. May I at this time announce that any members who wish to submit their testimony or their opening statement will do so by unanimous consent. The Chair now will recognize the next person to give an opening statement and that is Mr. Fawell.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS W. FAWELL

Mr. FAWELL. Thank you, Chairman Roybal and Chairman Martinez. I join you in welcoming our guests this morning. Today we have the privilege of hearing from two architects of Older Americans Act programs. Dr. Flemming, who had a hand in designing and implementing the original Act, will be sharing his historical perspective with us and will offer his advice on how we can further strengthen the Act in this reauthorization process.

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