Summary and Analysis of Action on MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT KENNEDY TO THE CONGRESS RELATIVE TO THE ELDERLY CITIZENS OF OUR NATION, FEBRUARY 21, 1963 On February 21, 1963, President Kennnedy sent to Congress the first Message on Aging ever delivered. It included 36 recommendations for action to help meet the needs of older people. As of early May, this was the status of those recommendations: Table 1 DOLLAR DIMENSIONS OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS IN FISCAL YEAR 1963 Over $13 billion is being spent from Federal trust funds and about $3 billion from Federal general revenues this fiscal year to finance income maintenance payments, and medical care services for persons aged 65 and over. In addition, special tax savings provided for persons 65 and over amount to $775 million, making a total Federal contribution on their behalf in these fields of $17 billion. In addition to the programs included above, older persons receive benefits and services from the Federal Government through loan commitments for housing for the elderly, farm loans, employment and related vocational services, and other programs. Loan commitments for housing for persons aged 62 and over are $423 milllion. For persons aged 45 and over, farm loans are $155 million, employment and related services cost $46 million, and other Federal programs cost $2 million. For persons aged 45 through 64, Federal income maintenance payments are $4.9 billion. FEDERAL PROGRAMS OF BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR THE AGING, FISCAL YEAR 1963 (Estimated) (In millions of dollars. Trust fund disbursements indicated by italics) (Continued) FEDERAL PROGRAMS OF BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR THE AGING, FISCAL YEAR 1963 (Estimated) (In millions of dollars. Trust fund disbursements indicated by italics) Public Assistance: Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Permanently and FEDERAL PROGRAMS OF BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR THE AGING, FISCAL YEAR 1963 (Estimated) |