Issue Area: Health

Statement in Support of COVID-19 Booster Shots for Older Adults and Those Who Care for Them

Due to concerns about the most recent COVID-19 variant, Omicron, and the ongoing proliferation of the Delta variant, our coalition of national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America’s older people urges all fully vaccinated older adults, and the paid and unpaid people who care for them, to receive a booster shot of one of the three available COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. If older adults are not yet fully vaccinated, we urge them to protect themselves with COVID-19 vaccines.

Read more on LCAO supporting COVID-19 booster shots for older adults and those who care for them.

Letter of Support for Budget Reconciliation Elder Justice Provisions

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. 

Read LCAO chair Katie Smith Sloan’s letter. 

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. 

Read the LCAO Telehealth Principles.

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. 

Read the letter.

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. 

Read the letter.

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.

Letter Supporting COVID Medicaid Response Act

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.

LCAO Chair Letter to Hill on COVID Relief