First signed into law in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides critical services that address the social drivers of health for older adults such as nutrition, transportation, senior centers, elder rights protections, caregiver support, and health promotion. If the OAA is not reauthorized, it is set to expire on September 30, 2024.
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) announced a partnership last year to engage funders in advancing the reauthorization of this critical piece of legislation affecting the health and well-being of millions of older people in the United States. This effort lies at the heart of GIH’s 2024 policy priorities, and there are several opportunities in the coming weeks for funders to engage on this issue:
- Advocacy for the Older Americans Act Reauthorization: What Can My 501c 3 Foundation Do?
April 4, 2024, 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern (Virtual)
Cosponsored by GIH and GIA, this online workshop will provide 501(c)(3) funders interested in working to advance the OAA with a clear understanding of what advocacy activities they can engage in, what communications count as lobbying, and how to maximize non-lobbying advocacy. Register here. - Share your ideas! Senate Request for Information
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ranking Member of the HELP Committee, issued a request for information (RFI) from stakeholders on policies the Committee should consider during the reauthorization of the OAA. A press release announcing the RFI is available here, and the full RFI is online here. Comments are due by March 21, 2024. - National Council on Aging’s 2024 Age + Action Conference
May 6-8, Washington, DC
Interested funders should attend the National Council on Aging’s 2024 Age + Action Conference, which includes a day on the Hill and opportunities to connect with other funders working on the OAA reauthorization and other issues related to older adults. GIH and GIA are working with NCOA to finalize content. Register here. - Peer Exchange: How and Why to Participate in NCOA’s Hill Day
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET (Virtual)
Join NCOA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team for an immersive webinar session designed to prepare 2024 Age + Action Conference attendees for the conference’s Hill Day. Register here. - Hill Visits Explored and Ready for Activation at the 2024 Age + Action Conference
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Join NCOA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team for their final webinar session designed to give 2024 Age + Action Conference attendees the support and information they need to be a successful Hill Day participant. Register here. - Support our work!
This 18-month collaboration between GIA and GIH will include a political landscape analysis, multiple convenings and communications, and an advocacy-focused resource for distribution to funders, partner organizations and grantees. To contribute to this important effort, please contact Cecilia Amor Kramer at ckramer@gih.org.
Stay Tuned!
GIH and GIA are finalizing a report assessing the legislative landscape regarding the OAA reauthorization and will share a fact sheet this spring outlining where things stand, as well as opportunities for funders to advocate for reauthorization.
We will continue to provide updates on the OAA in future Health Policy Alerts.
OAA News
- On February 28, 2024, Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Committee on Aging, and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, introduced the Strategic Plan on Aging Act (SPAA) (S.3827). The bill would create a new, nationwide grant program under the OAA to incentivize and support states’ efforts to develop their own strategic plans for aging. A press release announcing the bill is available here, and CQ published an article with more information here (paywall).