Pittsburgh council urges federal and state leaders to preserve and increase funding for older-adult services

Pittsburgh City Council on March 11 adopted two separate will-of-council measures calling for preservation and expansion of funding for services that support older adults.

Councilwoman Bridal Strasburger introduced a resolution urging Congress to prevent cuts to the Older Americans Act and other federal programs that provide nutrition, in‑home care and protective services for older residents. The measure also called on Congress to preserve its authority over federal appropriations and to resist executive actions that would freeze or override funding for essential aging services.

A second resolution from Strasburger asked the Pennsylvania General Assembly to increase funding for “PennCare” beyond the governor’s proposed $20 million and to release existing lottery funds dedicated to senior services so older Pennsylvanians can receive care and support, the text says. Both will-of-council items passed after motions were made and seconded; council recorded the measures as approved in chamber.

Councilman Schlossberger, speaking during discussion, highlighted a city-hosted older adult wellness event scheduled for March 20 and described an “urgent need for advocacy at both the state and federal level” because funding for supportive services is currently threatened. He urged colleagues to attend the March 20 event and to push for continued appropriations for older‑adult services.

Both items are nonbinding expressions of the council’s views meant to be transmitted to federal and state lawmakers and to support local advocacy. The resolutions do not appropriate funds or change city policy directly.