Ohio Department of Aging
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Testimony before the Field Hearing on "The Older Americans Act: Improving Quality of Life for Aging Americans"
Presented by Elise Geig, Legislative Liaison, Ohio Department of Aging
April 28, 2006
"Thank you, Congressman Tiberi and Hinojosa for the opportunity to speak here today. My name is Elise Geig, the Legislative Liaison for the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). On behalf of our director Merle Grace Kearns and Ohio's aging network, I want to thank the committee for scheduling this field hearing in Ohio.
"A little less than a year ago, former Director of the Ohio Department of Aging Joan W. Lawrence, who is here today, provided testimony to this committee. On behalf of the Department, she acknowledged the wisdom of the 89th Congress, which created the Older Americans Act (OAA) and praised the elegance, simplicity and purpose of OAA. This afternoon I will discuss how Ohio's aging network is implementing the major objectives of the OAA and provide some recommendations for reauthorization.
"OAA is the foundation of Ohio's dynamic aging network that includes the Ohio Department Aging, twelve area agencies on aging, the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, and more than 1,200 service providers, including more than 400 senior centers like the one hosting this field hearing today.
"In addition to managing OAA funded programs, our aging network manages the PASSPORT program, one of the largest Medicaid home and community-based services waivers in the country. ODA also has other programs that support older Ohioans, including the popular Golden Buckeye Card.
"In 2005, Ohio received $46 million in OAA funding. Every dollar Congress provides through the OAA leverages two additional dollars for services. In addition, Ohio participants contribute over $7.5 million towards the cost of services annually through contributions or cost sharing. Ohio is one of a handful of states that have implemented the cost sharing provisions allowed by the 2000 OAA reauthorization.
"In 2005, the combination of federal, state and local dollars helped to support over 300,000 older Ohioans and their caregivers.
"While these numbers sound impressive, the need for services exceeds supply across our state. Many service providers must place individuals on waiting lists and /or reduce service levels to existing consumers. Over the past year service delivery has been drastically impacted by rising gas and food costs.
"Prior to the White House Conference on Aging we developed Eight Recommendations for Reauthorization of OAA.
"Our recommendations include:
"Increase the authorized federal funding level of OAA titles and parts by at least $100 million each above the FY 2005 appropriated level except Title III Part E National Family Caregiver Support Program which should be authorized at $250 million more.
"Please note that nationally, from 1980 to 2005, there has been a 50% drop in buying power for OAA Title III nutrition and supportive funds. This drop is based on a comparison of per capita appropriation of OAA Title III nutrition and supportive services funds in "adjusted dollars" vs. age 60+ population.
"Strengthen and broaden the federal role of the Assistant Secretary for Aging to establish new partnerships with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
"Fund statewide initiatives that help communities address the needs of their growing aging populations.
"During the past half century, we have built "Peter Pan" communities and housing for people who never grow old. Most communities require people to use automobiles to get to shopping and services. Our housing is typically multiple-story and not conducive to aging in place. Now that our population is aging, we need to encourage smart growth that creates communities for all ages; this may include retrofitting our existing communities, neighborhoods and housing. Funding statewide initiatives could support the capacity building and coordination that needs to occur to make age friendly communities a reality.
"Provide grants to sustain and expand Aging and Disability Resources Centers (ADRC).
"While under the Administration on Aging's proposed Choices for Independence Program, which we support, funds can be used by states to fund ADRCs, states will have to compete for these funds and decide what initiatives to pursue, all while absorbing an estimated 25% overall cut in OAA funding for these specific activities. We recommend that, if AoA and Congress believe that ADRCs are the front door to the aging network, funds be made available and awarded to states annually by formula to support the development and ongoing operation of ADRCs throughout the nation.
"Ensure that the Older Americans Act promotes the effectiveness of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
"Congressman Tiberi, you will be pleased to learn that the Long-term Care Consumer Guide that you created through legislation in Ohio has been expanded. In March of this year, all licensed residential care facilities were added to the website.
"Revise Title III Part D Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and provide states with funds to support evidenced-based prevention, disease management and health promotion programs.
"AoA has proposed to eliminate Title III Part D in its 2007 budget request. While AoA's proposed Choices for Independence Program funds can be used by state to support evidence-based disease prevention, we recommend that AoA and Congress maintain Title III Part D in OAA.
"Add provisions to OAA that will help the aging network promote senior mobility and coordinate human services transportation.
"Currently there are sixty three federally funded programs that provide community transportation. These programs each have their own unit definitions and service delivery requirements. Coordination and expansion of transportation resources could be facilitated by having common service delivery requirements across all programs and funding sources.
"Reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to participation in the federal employment and training programs and increase funding to train older adults to compete in a changing workplace.
"We are concerned that U.S. Department of Labor views the Senior Community Service Employment Program as an employment and training program and is proposing changes that would limit or potentially eliminate the important community service benefits of the program.
"Ohio is very proud of the aging infrastructure we have developed over the past 40 years with the support of the Older Americans Act and is up to meeting the challenges that the future will bring.
"Again, thank you Representatives Tiberi and Hinojosa for the opportunity to share Ohio's progress and recommendations."
Ohio Department of Aging