WASHINGTON, DC— Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., House Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Co-Chair of the House Elder Justice Caucus Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., today introduced legislation to protect seniors and people with disabilities from abuse, isolation, and neglect. The Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023 reauthorizes the Elder Justice Act and dedicates new funding to programs proven to safeguard older adults and adults with disabilities. This legislation builds on the first-ever authorization of mandatory funding for Adult Protective Services (APS) back in December 2020. As part of the Elder Justice Act reauthorization, the introduced legislation would create three new programs: to address medical-legal needs, respond to social isolation, and strengthen the long-term care workforce.
“It’s unconscionable that one in ten American seniors have experienced some form of elder abuse,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Wyden said. “This legislation will provide crucial, dedicated resources to fund programs that protect seniors and people with disabilities from abuse, isolation and neglect — while also strengthening the long-term care workforce. I’ll fight tooth and nail to get this bill over the finish line and provide much needed medical-legal relief for seniors.” [..]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by the United States Senate Committee on Finance on April 19, 2023.
