LSA Public Policy Priorities
Aging Services
LSA supports aging services that provide comprehensive, person-centered coverage and payment to meet the wide-ranging service and support needs of people. Mutual responsibility of all people, employers, providers and government will be required to achieve success.
LSA Aging Services Priorities for the 111th Congress
- Continued focus on legislation regarding long-term supports and services
- Upcoming reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
Long Term Supports and Services
The new health care reform law includes several long term supports and services provisions of which LSA has long been supportive. These include the Community Living Assistance Supports and Services (CLASS) program and the Community First Choice Option. The implementation of these two programs in the next few years will be a focus of LSA's work on LTSS issues, as will continued advocacy for more comprehensive long term supports and services legislation. To learn more about the CLASS program, please visit http://www.cbpp.org/files/4-16-10health.pdf, and more on the Community First Choice Option can be found at www.lsadnadvocacy.org. For more information on long term supports and services legislation, please visit lutheranservices.org/aging_services.
Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is due to be reauthorized in 2011, and the Department of Health and Human Services has initiated conversations across the country to gather input on the programs and services funded through the OAA. These include Aging and Disability Resource Centers, elder justice programs, senior nutrition programs, mental health services, and transportation. LSA will be active throughout 2010 and into 2011 in advocating for sufficient funding for and, where appropriate, expansion of services through the OAA.
Additional Resources
