KPBS Follow-Up Interviews on Sequestration

Last week KPBS came by the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center to follow-up on the effect that federal across-the-board budget cuts have on low-income seniors in San Diego County.

Proposed cuts to Senior Community Centers’ Meals Program have increased to $233,000 since sequestration first became a reality in March of this year. At a cost of $2.50 per meal, these cuts leave 93,200 meals unfunded. While the gridlock in Washington to figure out the final budget is getting dangerous, Senior Community Centers is committed to serve high quality food and not turn any hungry seniors away.

Listen to the interview and find out what seniors have to say here:

August 22, 2013 – KPBS Follow-Up Interview on Sequestration

Watch LIVE: US Senate HELP Committee Hearing Testimonial – June 19, 2013 @ 7 am PDT

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 7 am (PDT), I will testify before the Senate HELP Committee, Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging – chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) who had formerly introduced the reauthorization bill in January 2012.

***Watch the proceedings LIVE at www.help.senate.gov.***

The hearing is titled “Reducing Senior Poverty and Hunger: The Role of the Older Americans Act” and it is held in support of the OAA reauthorization and 2013 amendments to the bill.

June 20, 2013 UPDATE: A video & testimonies of the hearing can be found here.

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About the Senate HELP Committee: The Committee began in 1869 and has been called the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee since 1999.

About the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging: The Subcommittee has oversight over many issues including but not limited to: The Older Americans Act, elder abuse and long-term care services.

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“President Lyndon Johnson hands a pen from the signing of the Older Americans Act to an unknown woman on July 14, 1965. Photo by Yoichi Okamoto and courtesy of the LBJ Library.” (Reference: PBS News Hour Article, May 29, 2013)

Happy Older Americans Month!

Every year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their achievements. This year’s Older Americans Month theme “Unleash the Power of Age!” shows our nation’s commitment to honor the value that older adults contribute to our communities. 

The National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) works year-round to protect and empower seniors in our communities and wholeheartedly joins the 2013 Older Americans Month celebrations.

As the President of NANASP I’d like to share the following upcoming developments from the latest NANASP bulletin:

In time for Older Americans Month, there are indications of new movement on two important bills that are monitored by NANASP: the Older Americans Act and the Farm Bill.

• NANASP is monitoring developments with the staff of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging of the Senate HELP Committee which has jurisdiction over the Older Americans Act.  We are hoping for specific actions to be taken during May to jump-start the reauthorization process led by Chairman Bernie Sanders.
• Action is expected in the House and Senate during the first half of Older Americans Month on a reauthorization of the Farm Bill. NANASP will monitor developments that work to prevent major cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as to prevent changes in eligibility for SNAP related to participation in other federal programs.  NANASP will also be working for a strong senior farmers’ market program as well as a strengthened Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and a renewed commitment to SNAP education.

Please join me in celebrating the millions of seniors who built this country through hard work and numerous sacrifices as well as the members of NANASP who continue to advocate for seniors in Washington and who provide critical services that keep seniors healthy, independent and happy.

Let’s take a moment and say Thank You to a senior for making our communities better places to live.

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NANASP is a membership organization for persons working to provide older adults healthful food and nutrition through community-based services. To join NANASP or renew your membership, please click here.