Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, recently delivered remarks during a hearing on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). Cassidy highlighted the importance of the OAA in empowering American seniors to lead healthy and independent lives. He emphasized the need to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Cassidy acknowledged the bipartisan history of the OAA reauthorization and stressed the importance of building upon successful programs while identifying areas for improvement. He mentioned the challenges faced by OAA service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences to better prepare for future needs of the aging population.

The Senator also emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in complementing OAA funding to reach more older adults and provide additional support. He highlighted the significance of supporting State Units and Area Agencies on Aging to maximize the reach of OAA dollars and ensure effective service delivery.

Cassidy expressed his commitment to working with a bipartisan group to pass legislation reauthorizing the OAA through the HELP Committee. He mentioned the collaboration with fellow Senators and stakeholders to achieve a thoughtful and bipartisan reauthorization that will enhance the lives of senior citizens.

In conclusion, Cassidy thanked Chair Sanders for his engagement and expressed anticipation for insights from the witnesses. The hearing aimed to address the reauthorization of the OAA and explore ways to improve services for older Americans.

For more news and updates from HELP Republicans, interested individuals can visit the GOPHELP website or follow them on Twitter at @GOPHELP.