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While SAGE is deeply disappointed that amendments to make the Older Americans Act (OAA) LGBTQ+-inclusive are not advancing in the new session of Congress, we nonetheless support the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee’s decision to move forward on reauthorization of the Act.

The committee’s vote demonstrates bipartisan support for this critical law, which contributes in important ways to the ability of Americans to age in their communities with the services and supports that they need.  We applaud members of Congress – including Senator Bennet, Senator Baldwin, Senator Sanders, and Representative Bonamici – who have championed much-needed amendments to the Act that would have designated LGBTQ+ older adults as a population of greatest social need and required more data collection and accountability to ensure that the OAA’s critical services and supports are LGBTQ+-inclusive.

While we are disappointed the bill that is currently advancing will not include these important amendments, SAGE recognizes that continued delays in reauthorization of the Older Americans Act will hurt older people throughout the country without increasing the chances for LGBTQ+ inclusion.   SAGE will continue to work energetically to draw attention to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ older adults and advocate aggressively that all relevant federal laws and programs address these needs.

For more information on SAGE’s work on the OAA, click here.