In a concerted effort to champion the welfare of America's elder population, Senator Ashley Moody has joined ranks with a bipartisan coalition to endorse the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). As reported on Senator Moody's official website yesterday, Moody, a stalwart advocate for the aging populace, affirms her commitment to reinforcing services that cater to seniors, particularly those grappling with age-related diseases and vulnerabilities.
Representing Florida, a state with nearly five million seniors, Senator Moody is no stranger to the cause, having previously served as the state's Attorney General where she zealously defended elder Floridians from frauds and scams. “Florida is not only the Sunshine State, but we are also a Silver State—the proud home of nearly five million seniors. As the former Florida Attorney General, fighting for our older Floridians was one of my main missions—and it is a fight I continue today as one of the newest United States Senators. I’m proud to cosponsor the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which would strengthen services for our seniors, and support them as they face aging-related diseases and threats,” Moody said, according to her website.
The OAA's legacy stretches back to 1965, providing essential nutrition, social, and health services to millions of seniors over the years. Its last update came in 2020, and the reauthorization on the table aims to extend the act through 2030. Intending to foster innovation and adaptability, the update also seeks to uphold the integrity of programs, bolster support for family caregivers, and enhance service delivery to seniors in Tribal jurisdictions and those with disabilities within their communities.
During her tenure in state office, Senator Moody's efforts included the creation of a Senior Protection Team in 2019, a special task force dedicated to eradicating civil, criminal, and healthcare fraud that preys on individuals aged 60 and above. "The Senior Protection Team, an intra-agency group of experts, was brought together to fight civil, criminal and health care fraud together and develop strategies to protect Floridians 60 and older," per the senator's press release. The full text of the proposed bill is available for those interested in the specifics of the initiatives and the projected enhancements for America's seasoned citizens.
