2025 is a year of milestones, and July marks several of them.

While NCOA is celebrating our 75th year, this July is also the 60th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act (OAA).

Along with Social Security, these programs form the bedrock of health and economic well-being for older Americans from all walks of life. They help ensure that every older adult has access to basic health care and income, as well as community services. For 60 years, older adults and their families have depended on these programs for medicine, nutrition, connection, and so much more.

Yet, we are marking these incredible societal accomplishments at a time of deep uncertainty. Medicaid is facing substantial cuts in Congress. And dozens of OAA programs are reduced or even eliminated in the administration’s budget proposal for next fiscal year.

We know that aging is not a solo journey.

Yes, individuals can—and do—take steps to improve their well-being as they age. But without strong infrastructure and support, that can be incredibly difficult, especially for those facing health or financial challenges.

In other words, aging with dignity isn’t just about personal choices or resources. It’s about the environments we live in and the policies that shape our opportunities. That’s why it’s so critically important to protect and strengthen these bedrock programs.

More than 11,000 people are turning 65 every day, and the demand for services keeps growing. That makes our mission more important than ever. As Congress debates the budget and other proposals, we need your voice.

The OAA, in particular, needs the right messages, stories, and data. So many people depend on OAA programs—but very few know they tie back to this critical piece of legislation. We must change that. America needs to know why the OAA matters to their families.

We must tell the nation that the programs they rely on—for food, transportation, and health—are powered by the Older Americans Act. Falls prevention programs and Chronic Disease Self-Management Education are powered by the OAA. The Senior Community Service Employment Program, senior centers, Meals on Wheels, area agencies on aging, and state units on aging—all brought to you by the OAA.

Uncertain times are deeply unsettling. But uncertain times also can be incredibly galvanizing. They can focus us like never before. Aging has never been—and never should be—a partisan issue. We are all aging. How we shape our policies will affect every single one of us and future generations.

Stay connected to NCOA—and to your colleagues across the country. Stay tuned in—and be ready to share your stories and your data when the time is right. Together, we hold the answers—and together our voices are a powerful tool for change.