Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack recently led a bipartisan group calling on the leaders of the Budget Conference Committee, who are currently working to craft a long-term budget agreement, to include strong funding for Meals on Wheels and other Senior Nutrition Programs in any compromise they reach. The letter, which was signed by a bipartisan group of 48 Members of Congress, called on the Budget Conference Committee to ensure that Senior Nutrition Programs authorized under the Older Americans Act (OAA) are not further reduced from current levels.
Due to cuts cause by sequestration earlier this year, Meals on Wheels and congregate programs across the country have been forced to cut meals served to seniors, eliminate staff positions, lower meal quality, reduce delivery days and/or close sites. The situation has been exacerbated by the economic downturn and increased numbers of seniors needing meals.
"Our constituents and Americans across the country who rely on Senior Nutrition Programs are already experiencing the real, daily effects of sequestration-related cuts to these benefits. These cuts directly affect the health and well-being of our most vulnerable, frail and isolated senior constituents and prevent programs from maintaining services, much less meeting the needs of an aging population," the Members of Congress wrote. "We urge you to do all you can to reverse sequestration-related cuts to the Senior Nutrition Programs that provide a lifeline to our elderly population. We must let congregate and home-delivered meal programs get back to work and allow those they serve to live with independence and dignity."
A copy of the letter can be found here.
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