"We are writing to request a significant investment for all Older Americans Act (OAA) programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations bill to keep up with inflation and population growth and years of erosion of capacity.

"The OAA is preeminent vehicle that deliver human, social and nutritional services to older persons. It provides funding for such critical programs as Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, senior center services, transportation, protection against elder abuse, support for family caregivers, and community service employment for low-income seniors.

"Originally conceived at the first White House Conference on Aging 1961, it was Congress’ attempt to address concerns about the lack of community services available for older persons and the desire of policymakers to improve the status of seniors. Because of the historical importance of these programs for elderly Americans, delegates to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging supported reathorization of the OAA as their top priority among the more than 70 policy resolutions presented to them. Congress responded with the 15^th reathorization of the Act on September 30, 2006.

"There are now more than 37 million American over the age of 65, 12.4 percent of the U.S. population, and this demographic is growing at a faster rate than any other population group. As the Baby Boom generation retires, the number of older Americans will increase to more than 75 million over the next two decades. Even with these staggering figures, appropriations for the Older Americans act have seen little increase since FY 2004 with purchasing power seriously eroded by inflation and the increasing number of seniors in need.

"OAA programs help to preserve the health and independence of our nation’s seniors, OAA spending actually saves taxpayer dollars by reducing premature nursing home placement, averting malnutrition and controlling chronic health conditions and thus reducing more expensive Medicaid and Medicare expenditures.

"While we understand the difficult fiscal restraints under which you are operating, we hope you make every effort to increase funding substantively for the innovative and cost-effective Older Americans Act in FY 2010."

For more information on Older Americans Act programs in Kansas, contact the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) at 1-800-432-3535. They can put you in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging, which is responsible for providing and coordinating services for seniors and their caregivers.

As co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus and a member of the Senate Agriculture, Health and Finance Committees, Senator Roberts is strategically placed to work on many of the issues that directly impact senior nutrition programs.

In 2008, The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), the oldest and largest national organization representing senior meal programs, selected Senator Roberts as the recipient of MOWAA’s prestigious "National Leadership Award." The "National Leadership Award " is the highest honor granted by MOWAA and has only been given once before in the Association’s nearly 35 year history.

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