On Dec. 10, the Senate unanimously passed S. 4776, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024. NCOA endorsed the legislation and urges the House to adopt the legislation quickly so it may be enacted before year’s end.  

NCOA's 2024 reauthorization priorities include honoring the OAA commitment to multipurpose senior centers, expanding the reach of healthy aging programs, strengthening our nation's care infrastructure, and expanding the only federal program focused on the employment of low-income older workers.

The bill approved by the Senate reflected bipartisan negotiations between Senate and House committee leadership. Some changes were made to the bill approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, yet NCOA priorities were still addressed as follows:

• Senior centers: Language regarding OAA supportive services investments in multipurpose senior centers and the role of community-based organizations in OAA service delivery and strategies was strengthened.
• Healthy aging: The authority of the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide crucial technical assistance for implementation of evidence-based programs and consider evidence-informed healthy aging practices was enhanced. Also notable are the expansion of falls prevention demonstration authority, improvements in language related to mental health and infectious diseases, options to deliver medically tailored meals, and support for safe and healthy homes. 
• Direct care workforce: The authorities for the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center were enhanced and sustained funding protected.
• Older workers: Key improvements highlight the role that the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) plays in supporting the aging services workforce; iterate that Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services should be made available to older workers; and call for a GAO report to distinguish SCSEP from WIOA.
• Federal leadership and coordination: A detailed authorization for the next decennial White House Conference on Aging and calls for efforts to raise awareness about OAA programs were included.

What happens next, and what can you do? 

The reauthorization bill still needs to pass the House. If we want legislation to be enacted before the end of the 118th Congress, we need to continue educating representatives about why OAA services and strategies are important. Use our action alert to make your voice heard.