The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of 69 national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America’s older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. LCAO commends your commitment to providing funding and support for Adult Protective Services (APS) programs and the long-term care ombudsman program throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To build upon these efforts to help address the needs of our nation’s aging population, we are writing in support of S.2674/H.R.4969, the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2021.
Issue Area: Health
Chair’s Letter on LCAO’s Support for a Care Infrastructure Package
I write as chair of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations to express LCAO’s strong support for a Care Infrastructure package. Since 1980, LCAO has been the country’s preeminent coalition representing older Americans. Comprised of 67 national nonprofit organization members, LCAO focuses on the well-being of America’s older population and is committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. LCAO serves as a source of information about issues affecting older persons and provides leadership and vision as America meets the challenges and opportunities presented by its aging society.
Read LCAO chair Katie Smith Sloan’s letter on LCAO’s support for a care infrastructure package.
LCAO Telehealth Principles
As technology expands and service delivery becomes increasingly complex, all of us should have consistent access to health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS), including home and community-based services (HCBS). Telehealth services have expanded exponentially during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE), and consumer use of telehealth has reached record high numbers across different insurance types, providing a lifeline for many during the pandemic.1 Among older adults and people with disabilities in particular, access to mental health services, nursing facility services, and HCBS through telehealth has proved essential. It has allowed them to address their rising mental health needs, reduce isolation, receive case management assistance and adult day services, and more while protecting them from COVID-19.
LCAO FY 2022 Budget and Appropriations Letter
The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America’s older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. Many of the federal programs under the jurisdiction of your Appropriations Subcommittees are critical to helping millions of older adults and family caregivers age with dignity, health, and independence in their homes and communities. This is especially important at a time when aging at home remains the safest option for older adults, who are at greatest risk for negative health outcomes associated with COVID-19.
LCAO Chair’s Letter Supporting ACCESS Act
On behalf of the 69 members of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), I am writing to reaffirm our support for the Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act (S. 57/H.R. 596). LCAO focuses on the well-being of America’s older population and is committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena.
Letter Supporting COVID Medicaid Response Act
On behalf of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), I am writing to urge you to support the Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act (S. 439/ H.R.1353). LCAO is a coalition of 69 national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America’s older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. We support the Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act because it will help meet the health, community-based services and supports, and economic security needs of older adults.
LCAO Chair Letter to Hill on COVID Relief
* This is the Senate letter. A copy of the letter was also sent to the House of Representatives.
On behalf of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), I am writing to urge you to prioritize the health, community-based services and supports, and economic security needs of older adults as you move forward with budget reconciliation and efforts to address the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letter to Congressional Leadership on COVID Vaccine
On behalf of the 69 members of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), I appreciate your vital efforts in expanding coverage and access to the COVID-19 vaccine, including additional funds to support states, localities, and territories as they race to distribute and administer the vaccine.
Letter to Congressional Leadership on COVID Vaccine
LCAO Priorities for President-Elect Biden
LCAO deeply appreciates and concurs wholeheartedly with the incoming administration’s commitment to advancing equity and justice for all people. We are heartened to read the many platforms promoting equity and justice not only for older adults and people with disabilities, but also for multiple racial and ethnic communities and for Tribal Nations, residents of U.S. territories and commonwealths, immigrants, people with limited English proficiency (LEP), LGBTQ+ individuals and families, women, religious communities, and rural communities.
Transition Letter to President-Elect Biden
The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) congratulates you on your election to the Presidency.
Since 1980, LCAO has been the country’s preeminent coalition representing older Americans. Composed of 69 national nonprofit organization members, LCAO focuses on the well-being of America’s older population and is committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. LCAO serves as a source of information about issues affecting older persons and provides leadership and vision as America meets the challenges and opportunities presented by its aging society.