Public Policy & Action

• Federal Funding for Seniors Programs
• Older Americans Act
• Long-Term Services & Supports
• Health Care Reform
• Our Positions
• Advocacy Toolkit

Resources

For Professionals

• SNAP Food Benefits at Risk for Cuts
• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• SCSEP Targeted in Workforce Investment Act Proposal
• Senators to Voice their Support for OAA Reauthorization at Capitol Hill Briefing
• Missing from the Presidential Debate: Long-Term Care
• State Advocate Experiences and Engagement in Duals Integration

For Older Adults and Caregivers

• Long-Term Services & Supports: Candidate Survey
• Straight Talk for Seniors™

For Advocates

• SNAP Food Benefits at Risk for Cuts
• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• Preventing Funding Cuts for Healthy Aging Programs: What You Can Do to Help

FY12 Appropriations Move Forward

The first three FY12 appropriations bills have been signed into law, as well as another continuing resolution (CR) that funds federal government activities related to the nine appropriations bills that have not yet been enacted.

The latest CR runs through Dec. 16, and it's anticipated that Congress will enact an omnibus bill that bundles all these remaining appropriations by that date.

Appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Housing and Urban Development (USDA) were among those finalized last week, and the news for aging services is mixed:

• USDA: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) received a $15 billion (23%) increase, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) largely held steady with an increase of just over $1 million (0.7%).
  
  
• HUD: The Housing Counseling Fund that provides resources for first-time homeowner, renter, foreclosure, and reverse mortgage counseling saw $60 million of the $88 million eliminated last year restored. However, the bill also includes yet another cut to Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, reducing the program by $24.6 million (6%) and denying funding for any new construction.

NCOA joined with a number of organizations, including the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) to advocate for these programs. Read the following statements:

• LCAO letter on housing
• LCAO letter on OAA appropriations
• Feeding America letter on CSFP

want to live in a country where

older adults don't have to choose between paying for medicine or food.