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Advocates and witnesses press Congress to shore up income supports, Older Americans Act and Medicaid home‑and‑community services
Summary
Witnesses told the Senate Aging Committee that income insecurity, rising housing and health costs, and insufficient funding for Older Americans Act programs and Medicaid home‑and‑community‑based services threaten seniors' ability to age with dignity; witnesses urged increased funding and stronger outreach to caregivers.
Maria Alvarez, executive director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council, told the Senate Special Committee on Aging that income insecurity is widespread among older Americans. "The reality is that 1 in 3 senior citizens are not making ends meet. Their incomes are under 200% of the federal poverty level, roughly $30,000 a year," she said, and warned that homelessness among older adults is rising in some areas.
Alvarez credited Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act with forming a critical framework…
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