On Feb. 22, President Carter sub

mitted revisions of former President Ford's budget request to Congress.

The total Older Americans Act budget request for fiscal year 1978 is now $423.45 million, almost $22 million above the fiscal 1977 appropriation of $401.6 million, and nearly $25 million more than the $399.65 million requested earlier this year by Mr. Ford.

The following has been requested

In

n a resolution passed Feb. 4 by an 89 to 1 vote the Senate moved to retain the Special Committee on Aging. Earlier the Senate Rules Committee, as part of a general reorganization plan, had voted five to four to abolish the aging committee chaired by Senator Frank Church.

The action results in several significant changes in the Committee on Aging. Under the Senate reorganization resolution, the Committee has been made permanent and will no longer be dependent upon passage of an annual resolution for its continued existence.

The number of Senators serving on the Committee will be reduced from 23 in the last Congress to 14 in the 95th. At the beginning of the 96th Congress, in January 1979, the num

ber will be further reduced to nine, and will remain at that level.

Senators serving on the aging committee and certain other Senate committees will be permitted to serve on only one such committee.

The Special Committee on Aging was established by a Senate resolution in February 1961 and had been renewed each year including 1976 through a continuing resolution.

During 1976 a special Senate committee, appointed to study committees and to make recommendations regarding the committee system, issued a report which recommended abolition of a number of Senate committees, including the Special Committee on Aging. The report proposed that the aging committee's work should be carried out by the proposed Senate

Committee on Human Resources, successor to the Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.

On Jan. 4 of this year, S. Res. 4 was introduced to implement the study committee's recommendations. On Jan. 17 the Senate Rules Committee voted to abolish the Special Committee on Aging, despite efforts to introduce an amendment for its continuation.

When the resolution was brought up for Senate consideration on Feb. 1 Committee Chairman Frank Church, with the co-sponsorship of 50 Senators, offered an amendment calling for continuance of the aging committee.

Senator Church's amendment was adopted by a 90 to 4 vote and the resolution passed by 89 to 1 on Feb. 4.

Improvement of health care and the systematizing of government benefits are the two major priorities in 1977 for the Federal Council on the Aging. This statutory advisory body, appointed by the President, and charged with being a spokesman for older Americans to the Administration and the Congress outline their work program for the coming year as well as projects undertaken in 1976 in their recently issued annual report. The Council is chaired by Bertha S. Adkins of Oxford, Maryland, former Under Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Impact of White House Conference on Aging

In setting its 1977 agenda, the Council reviewed the implementation of the recommendations of the 1971 White House Conference on the Aging. The FCA report observes "An objective comparison and evaluation of the recommendations and the implementations can only conclude that both the Legislative and Executive branches of government have achieved a surprisingly good record of progress. At the same time, it should not be forgotten that many of the 1971 recommendations had to do with the private sector where the government has some influence but certertainly not the power for overall direction."

The FCA further notes that some of the major recommendations of the 1971 conference which have not been met include complex issues such as the delivery, financing, and locus of long-term care and the long-range financing of social security.

The 1976 Annual Report lists several "paradoxes of progress" which have come about because of some of

the new programs for older Americans instituted during the past five years:

• Social security benefit increases resulting from the new indexing feature can create an "automatic" loss of eligibility for some other needed Federal benefit or service program. An "aging network" has been established at the State and local levels to bring about coordinated priority-setting efforts but Congress keeps layering on national service priorities.

• Decertification of nursing homes which do not meet government standards can mean involuntary relocation of patients with possible resultant increases in mortality. • Additional Federal "focal points" of aging concerns have been created since 1971 with the establishment of the National Institute on Aging, the Federal Council on the Aging, and the House Select Committee on Aging but no coordinating mechanism exists between these and ongoing focal points like the Administration on Aging within HEW, and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The possibility of a Counselor on Aging in the White House is welcomed by the FCA but creates still another focal point. Improving Health Care

While debate for a national health care program for the entire American population continues, the Federal Council believes that this health care goal can be advanced by making Medicare and Medicaid operate more effectively now for the elderly and the poor. The Council will be reviewing all cost-containment measures and the effectiveness of such Federally-mandated mechanisms as the Health Plan

ning and Resource Development agencies and the Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) in terms of their ability both to control cost and assure quality of care.

During 1977, the Council plans to give particular attention to the longterm care aspects of the national health insurance deliberations. The development of social models and, in particular, the development of a social-health assessment and case management features have been an essential element of the FCA "frail elderly" project. This activity designed to develop national policy recommendations to meet the complex needs of the "oldest of the old" will continue in the form of study papers and seminars.

Systematizing Benefits and
Services for the Elderly

A study of the interrelationships of benefit programs for the elderly which was issued by the Federal Council a year ago documents the administrative complexity and expense as well as confusion for potential recipients because of the contradictory eligibility criteria involved. The Council will seek to have the Administration implement its recommendations, which included a proposal for a study of the desirability, feasibility, cost effectiveness, and convenience to the elderly, of having a simplified system at the local level to determine eligibility and benefit levels for all federally funded income-conditioned programs for those 65 and over.

Also working towards the goal of "systematizing" services, the Council will be examining the Older Americans Act which must receive Congressional reauthorization in 1978. The Council is concerned that a logical

approach to determining a better system of services should differentiate between those older people who are "cash needy" and those who are "service needy." One of the premises emerging from the Council's frail elderly study is that there are certain older people who even with an adequate amount of income and assets do not have the family and friends available to assist them in coping with the pressures of daily living. The Council will utilize all available technical evaluations on programs made possible by the Older Americans Act as well as obtaining the views of practitioners, academicians, and senior citizen organization leaders in developing FCA recommendations on the Older Americans Act for both the Administration and the Congress.

Special Projects

In addition to continuing its project on the frail elderly, the Federal Council also has studies underway dealing with assets and asset income in determining eligibility for benefits programs; the need for health manpower to serve the elderly; and policy issues concerning the minority elderly. The latter activity will attempt to respond to the recommendation often advanced by minority elderly advocates that because their members have shorter life expectancies the age criteria for eligibility for government aging programs should be different for this group of older Americans.

National Agenda Items

The FCA report also identifies several Federal activities based on Federal law which will commence or be completed in 1977, namely:

• Advisory Council on Social Security. This quadrennial body is to be appointed in 1977 for the purpose of reviewing the status of the several

trust funds maintained by the So-
cial Security Administration.
Study of Discrimination Based on
Age. The Civil Rights Commission
study of "unreasonable discrimina-
tion based on age in programs and
activities receiving Federal finan-
cial assistance" is to be completed
by November 1977.
National Research Plan in Aging.
The Secretary of HEW, in consul-
tation with the National Institute
on Aging and its advisory body,
has just submitted this plan to the
95th Congress. It proposes a re-
search program on aging designed
to coordinate and promote research
into the biological, social, educa-
tional and economic aspects of
aging.

• Committee on Mental Health and Illness of the Elderly. This Committee, which is to complete its deliberations by July 29, 1977, is to review the implementation of relevant recommendations of the 1971 White House Conference on Aging and the effectiveness of Community Mental Health Centers in meeting the mental health needs of the elderly.

• White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals. To be held May 23-27, 1977, this conference will address the needs of handicapped individuals of all ages. The Federal Council will maintain relationships with these various undertakings to assure that the concerns of older Americans and the intent of Congress are heeded.

Council Schedule for 1977

The Council plans four regular meetings in 1977 to be held on Mar. 8-9, May 19-20, Sept. 15-16, and Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1. It is expected that all meetings will be held in Washington in the North Building of the Department of Health, Education,

and Welfare. Notices of meetings are published in the Federal Register, and meetings are open for public observation.

Published copies of the annual report will be available in April 1977. Single copies can be obtained by writing to the Federal Council on the Aging, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Frank Church Receives National Council on the Aging's Highest Award

Senator Frank Church has been presented the Ollie the Ollie A. Randall Award, highest award of the National Council on the Aging, in recognition of his outstanding service on behalf of the elderly.

Mr. Church, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging since 1961, has served as Committee Chairman since 1971.

His record of accomplishments for the aged cited by Dr. Inabel Lindsay, NCOA board member and Awards Chairperson, include:

• Sponsorship of the 20% social security increase in 1972 and the provision to link, automatically, future benefits with changes in the cost-ofliving index;

Leading the fight for the two-step social security increase in 1974;

• Initiating legislation to provide an increase in the level of funding for widows;

• Sponsoring legislation to provide disability coverage for disabled social security beneficiaries; and

Sponsoring of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act legislation in 1967.

The Ollie A. Randall Award was established in 1963 by the NCOA Board of Directors to recognize those who lead in advancing the cause of aging.

Major

ajor changes in the Supplemental Security Income Program will be implemented this year. The reforms are contained in several bills signed into law by former President Ford during the last session of the 94th Congress.

A number of SSI revisions are contained in the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976 (P.L. 94-566) signed by Mr. Ford last Oct. 20.

This legislation provides that if a spouse is institutionalized, the husband and wife will be treated as individuals rather than as a couple for purposes of applying their separate incomes in computing the SSI benefit

amount.

SSI beneficiaries will also no longer be subject to loss of their Medicaid coverage solely due to cost-of-living benefit increases under Title II of the Social Security Act.

In addition, the legislation excludes publicly operated community residences with 16 or fewer clients from being considered as public institutions in which individuals are ineligible for SSI benefits. The legislation also provides that Federal payments may not be reduced in the case of assistance based on need which is provided by States and localities. It also repeals Sec. 1616(e) of the Social Security Act which provides for a reduction in Federal SSI payments in cases where

States or localities pay for medical or other types of remedial care provided by the institution.

It further stipulates, effective Oct. 1, that States establish or designate State or local authorities to establish and enforce appropriate standards for categories of institutions in which a significant number of SSI recipients are residing. The standards will govern admission policies, safety, sanitation, and the protection of civil rights. A list of standards and procedures as well as any waiver or violation of standards must be available for public review. Federal payments are to be reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of any State supplementation in the case of persons in group facilities which are not approved under State standards.

Elderly homeowners with low incomes will be assisted substantially by P.L. 94-569 also enacted into law on Oct. 20. Under this legislation the value of a home will no longer be considered when determining SSI eligibility.

In addition, an individual SSI recipient's countable resources cannot exceed $1,500 or $2,250 for a couple.

An additional reform in the SSI program was contained in P.L. 94585 enacted on Oct. 21. This legislation, which amends the Social Security Act, also provides that as of July 1, 1977 those States which supple

ment the SSI program will be required to pass along Federal cost-ofliving increases which are intended for SSI recipients.

Society Presents Awards

The American Geriatrics Society in New York has presented its awards for 1976.

Dr. Brock E. Brush, member of the Society's Board of Directors, presented the Edward Henderson Gold Medal Award to Dr. Alton Ochsner, Consultant to the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, La. This award is given to a scientist for exceptional contributions toward a better understanding of aging-related health care problems through research and published works in the field of life sciences.

Dr. Francis P. Rhoades of Detroit, Mich. received the Malford W. Thewlis Award for 1976. This award is given to a member of the Society for outstanding contributions to its welfare.

The Edward Henderson Memorial Fund Award was given to Mr. Alan Storeygard, second-year student at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn. The award is given to a student in the health professions who demonstrates initiative in the area of clinical geriatrics.

A quiet revolution has been taking place in the cities.

In 1970 census data reflected an influx of two out of three Americans 65 and older into metropolitan areas. By 1975, this concentration had reached 75%. In response to this demographic shift and to a growing concern for the needs of the urban elderly, the U.S. Conference of Mayors created a Task Force on Aging in 1975. The Task Force was composed of the chief aging administrator and 16 Mayors, including Abraham Beame of New York City, Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, and Kevin H. White of Boston. It was chaired by Mayor Wesley C. Uhlman of Seattle, Washington and Mayor Janet Gray Hayes of San Jose, Calif.

Aided by a grant from the Administration on Aging, the USCM Task Force on Aging developed five goals which included:

• Defining the problems of the urban elderly; • Identifying the role of city government in serving the needs of the urban elderly, specifically highlighting the role of the Mayor;

• Developing programmatic, administrative, and financial information concerning successful programs in several cities to be utilized by other urban areas; • Redefining the current intergovernmental system to help areawide, State, county, and city agencies work in unison;

• Improving the delivery of services to the urban elderly.

The Task Force on Aging collected data on 20 categorical services in 56 cities ranging in population from 50,000 to 2,500,000. Mayors and key city officials were surveyed.

Six priority areas emerged during this research. These included crime, economic security (including employment), health, housing, senior centers, and transportation.

Information collected about categorical services is contained in a matrix entitled Services for the

Urban Elderly in Selected Cities. Published in April 1976, it was distributed to 700 Mayors and many local officials. Intended as a yardstick, the matrix reveals each city's organizational structure, relationship to the area agency on aging, and use of Federal funds to benefit the elderly. It discusses local services and their funding sources, covering the areas of nutrition, transportation, health care, and housing. Also included is a glossary of major legislation affecting the elderly.

Successful programs of several cities were identified and their experience utilized by other urban areas. This was accomplished through the selection of six study sites and the exchange of staff in those cities which the Task Force on Aging referred to as "technology transfers." The six cities selected were Clearwater, Fla.; Cleveland, Ohio; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; and Tucson, Ariz.

In choosing sites, the Task Force used several criteria. These included the percentage of the elderly in the population, intergovernmental relations-especially involving the AAA, city services provided without Federal funds, and the city's capacity to manage human resource programs.

Published in August 1976, the manual Serving the Urban Elderly Strategies for Mayors represents the culmination of one year's work by the USCM Task Force on Aging. The introduction says:

"Hopefully, it will be useful to Mayors, their staffs, and other local officials in examining their own role and resources available to municipal governments in serving their older constituents. (This book) provides an overview of the status of the urban elderly in relation to such basic priorities as crime, economic security, health, housing, transportation, senior centers, and information and referral."

Each chapter is devoted to a specific functional area and summarizes activities of innovative programs in cities across the country. A resources section