Welcome to The Senior Alliance's advocacy newsletter, COLLOQUY!

This monthly e-mail is a look at issues, legislation, and policies impacting aging.

Federal Labor-HHS-Education Budget for FY 2024 in Process

Federal legislators will have only a few weeks upon returning from their August recess to pass the 11 of 12 remaining spending measures for fiscal year 2024, with all of them due by September 30, the end of this fiscal year. While President Biden released his budget in March, both chambers delayed finalizing any proposals until late July.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee continues work on the Labor-HHS-Education budget, but further details of their proposed changes aren’t expected to be released until September. However in the U.S. Senate, the Appropriations Committee solidified its FY 2024 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill on July 27.

Overall, funding for nearly all Older Americans Act programs and other aging-related services was level funded in the proposed U.S. Senate bill, with only nutrition programs receiving increases or decreases over last year’s levels. This level funding is a significant drop off from the sizable increases proposed by the Biden administration but is anticipated to be more generous than the Republican-led U.S. House will agree to.

As the number of older adults continues to increase in the U.S., so does the need for additional funding in aging-related services. Without increases in these funds, aging adults in need of assistance will be denied helpful resources. 

To view a chart of previous funding levels for aging-related services and how President Biden and the U.S. Senate’s proposed spending levels compare, click here. 

The Senior Alliance Presents to Wayne County Commission Committee

Last month our CEO, Jason Maciejewski, presented on overview of programs, services and resource available through The Senior Alliance to the Wayne County Commission's Committee on Seniors & Veterans Affairs. Included was information on nutrition programs, which is operated in partnership with Wayne County's Senior Services Department.

We are thankful for the the opportunity to appear before the committee, which includes Committee Chair Martha Scott (D-Detroit), Melissa Daub (D-Canton), Cara Clemente (D-Lincoln Park), David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) and Tim Killeen (D-Detroit).

We appreciate the continued support of aging programs and services by the Wayne County Commission and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.

Join the Advisory Council

The Senior Alliance currently has openings on our Advisory Council. Created by the Older Americans Act, the Advisory Council plays an important role in the development of our Multi-Year Plan and advocacy efforts.

The Advisory Council meets six times per year on the second Monday of meeting months. Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. at our office in the City of Wayne and last about 90 minutes. Typical agendas include updates on the agency, advocacy initiatives, programs, and input from members on our projects and programs.

If you are interested in volunteering to become a member of our Advisory Council please contact Amanda Sears at asears@thesenioralliance.org.

Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan Annual Conference

The Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM) will hold their annual conference on November 7th and 8th in Lansing. AAA's, advocates, elected officials, government agencies, and those connected to the aging network from around the state will gather to hear multiple speakers present on topics related to the theme: Advancing Aging.

Speakers and topics include: Michigan Medicaid Director Meghan Groen, Amy Gotwals from USAging, caregiving, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the impact of leadership on organizational culture, the unmet needs of older adults, the direct care workforce, the art of nurturing relationships and much more. Click here for the agenda.

Click here for more info on the conference or to register.

To learn more about 4AM and their work with The Senior Alliance along with other AAA's around the state, visit their website.

Advocacy Questions: Please contact Nikki Hartley, Government Relations and Outreach Specialist, with any advocacy or public policy questions via e-mail at nhartley@thesenioralliance.org.

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