All of us have a stake in ensuring the Older Americans Act (OAA) continues to support programs and services that help the health and independence of Americans 60 and older.

As part of the law's 2024 reauthorization, the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) released a final rule to update the regulations for implementing its OAA programs. The new regulations took effect on March 15, 2024, but regulated entities have until Oct. 1, 2025 to comply.

NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin testified before the U.S. Senate Committee Health, Education, Labor & Pensions about the importance of the Older Americans Act in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to age well. She said the law "is integral to achieving NCOA’s vision of a just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security."

NCOA's priorities for OAA reauthorization:

• Healthy aging: Everyone deserves access to quality health care services that meet their needs. Many of these services can reduce or delay expensive hospital or nursing home admissions. 
• Economic security: Rising poverty rates among older adults and disparities that show women and people of color or less likely to have retirement savings point to the need for more support. Many older adults work beyond their anticipated retirement or must return to work. Yet age discrimination continues to create barriers to employment and training assistance. 
• Senior centers: Senior centers play a crucial role in supporting communities and linking people with opportunities to age well and be socially connected.

Letter of support from NCOA and leading aging organizations