Richardson, Hon. Elliot L., Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, accompanied by John Martin, Commissioner on Aging; John D. Twiname, Administrator, Social and Rehabilitation Service; Arthur Flemming, special consultant to the President; Steven Kurzman, Assistant Secretary of HEW for Legislation; Richard Verville, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Liaison; Richard Darman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and Professional Staff Members, Department of HEW___ Schwab, Sister Marilyn, clinical specialist in gerontological nursing, Benedictine Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, Mount Angel, Oreg., for the American Nurses Association, accompanied by Susan T. Moon, assistant director, Government Relations Department, American Nurses Association Shurin, Mrs. Florence, senior director of adult activity, Jewish Community Center.--. Spiegel, Jacob B., Topeka, Kans., volunteer member, National Legislative Tarr, Clarence M., vice president, National Association of Retired Federal Tomlinson, Henry, Kansas City, Mo___. Vasey, Dr. Wayne, codirector, Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, on behalf of the American Public Welfare Association, accompanied by Robert B. Robinson, director, Division of Services for the Aging, Colorado Department of Social Services, Denver, Colo__ Prepared statement__. Welty, Earl R., director, Missouri Office of Aging, representing State Offices of Aging, a panel_ Wiggins, Hon. Harry, western district judge, Jackson County Court, Williams, Hon. Harrison, A., Jr., a U.S. Senator from the State of New ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Articles, publications, etc.: "A Proposal for Home Care," prepared by the Professional Task Force Steering Committee of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Boston, Mass___. Areawide motel projects.. Geriatrics Division Standards for Practice, American Nurses Association Inpatient hospital deductible insurance under H.R. 1___. Mandatory and optional services provided under title XVI of the Minimum project size_ Nursing home initiatives pursuant to the President's speech of Au- "Prediction of Life Span," edited by Erdman Philmore and Francas Supplemental medical insurance_. "The Administration On Aging-Or a Successor?" a report to the Spe- Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Kansas City proposal to Model Communications to: Alexander, Chauncy, ACSW, executive director, National Association of Social Workers, New York, N.Y., from Alexander Monro, ACSW, June 5, 1972__ Church, Hon. Frank, a U.S. Senator from the State of Idaho, chair- Berry, Charles E., M. Sc. H.A., J.D., associate dean, School of Nurs- Hutton, William R., executive director, National Council of Senior Memorandum to: Eagleton, Hon. Thomas F., a U.S. Senator from the State of Missouri, from Cyril F. Brickfield, legislative counsel, American Association of Retired Persons, National Retired Teachers Association_‒‒‒‒‒ Selected charts: Federal organization related to aging as of March 21, 1972- Selected tables: Computation of fiscal year 1973 allotment amount for title III State and area programs under S. 3391 and H.R. 13925, tentative_-_Federal outlays in aging, fiscal years 1971-73__. 669 618 634 603 644 129 636 247 675 652 611 648 309 234 233 483 253 244 Five-year history of appropriations under the Older Americans Act 507 Funds for programs in aging--- 241 Green Thumb expansion_-- 276 Title III projects in Missouri Older American Act, description of 79 OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1972 FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1972 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE AGING OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE, Kansas City, Mo. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m., in the Mission East Nursing Home, 911 Linwood Boulevard, Senator Thomas F. Eagleton of Missouri (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senator Eagleton. Committee staff present: James J. Murphy, counsel. Senator EAGLETON. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. The Senate Subcommittee on the Aged, which is a Subcommittee of the Labor and Public Welfare Committee, will commence its day of hearings here in Kansas City. We are beginning these hearings in Kansas City specifically on the continuation and improvement of the Older Americans Act, but the witnesses will not be confined necessarily to the precise phraseology of that act and are free to comment on other aspects of problems relating to the aging. Some in this room perhaps attended the White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C., late in 1971. That Conference was enormously successful in providing a national forum for identifying the needs of the elderly; in formulating the public policy issues involved in meeting these needs; and in coming up with comprehensive recommendations for action by all levels of government. But we all know that the recommendations of this Conference are not self-executing. Indeed, it is the fate of most such Conference reports to gather dust on the library shelves once the initial splash of publicity has died down. If we are to make this Conference the exception to the rule, if we are to translate these proposals into meaningful programs, it will take the best efforts of all of us who are concerned about the plight of the Nation's elderly. Many of the basic facts related to the condition of older Americans in our society are already known to us. We know, for example, that the most fundamental need of our senior citizens is an adequate income-and we know, further, that at least 5 million of our citizens over 65, fully one-fourth of the Nation's elderly, have an income below officially defined poverty levels. It is simply not acceptable for an affluent and civilized country such as ours to close its eyes to the needs of these people. Congressman Mills, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and the key figure in legislation relating to social security, has proposed a 20-percent increase in social security benefits. Congressman Mills asserts that the social security trust fund is sufficiently to support such an increase in benefits without a major inc social security taxes. An increase of this significant magnitud clearly be a giant step in the move to improve the inhuman tions of existence to which older people are too often subjected This subcommittee does not have jurisdiction over social s legislation but our jurisdiction does embrace other areas of vi portance to millions of older Americans, such matters as nu health care, community service employment, pilot transportati grams, et cetera, et cetera. We will be focusing on these and other areas of concern series of hearings. Perhaps most importantly, we are seeking to the most effective governmental structure possible to repres interests of America's older citizens across the whole range Federal Government's activities. The Administration on Agi created by the Older Americans Act of 1965 to act as advocate elderly throughout the Federal Government. In the years since. cratic and Republican administrations alike have partially d bered this agency and have buried the remnants three layers the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Our experience under the Older Americans Act clearly strates that the interests of senior citizens can be given adequate sentation only by a high level unit of Government that is able with all of the multitudinous Federal programs having an im the elderly. For example, when HUD develops a new housing program, w someone there to insure that the housing needs of the elderly a sidered as a part of that program. When the Department of Tra tation approves plans for transit facilities, we want to know tha citizens will benefit from the new systems and that allowan be made for their handicaps. For example, again, will the Depa of Labor include retired workers in its community service e ment programs? We want an advocate who will speak for the as the programs are being designed. I feel today that the contributions of the witnesses who will fore our subcommittee will be of material assistance to the com in its work on these problems. It is a subject that is worthy of o efforts on behalf of those who have gone before us and to whon us owe so much. Now I would like to make a few brief remarks in addition prepared statement and then we will be underway with our wit First, of course, the point of deep appreciation is necessary extended to the Mission East Home, and most particularly Coughlin, the Administrator. This is my second visit to Mission I am always impressed when I am here, doubly so, with the fine ties and with the fine service that is rendered. Rather than hold a meeting in a rather sterile Federal buildi thought it was appropriate to hold a hearing in fine facilities s this which are operating on a day-to-day basis to render satisf medical services to the elderly. I order printed in the record at this point the text of the b are considering at this time. (The bills referred to follow :) |