KOHL, MARTINEZ REQUEST STIMULUS FUNDING BE DIRECTED TO AoA EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius yesterday requesting that HHS provide at least $50 million for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion community programs implemented in partnership with the Aging Network. The $50 million request will be used to expand the Administration on Aging's (AoA) current evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion grants to additional states, maintain programs in states that are currently funded, and extend their reach into more communities.  HHS received a total of $650 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Prevention and Wellness Fund to be used at the discretion of the Secretary for evidence-based strategies.

"AoA evidence-based prevention and wellness programs target some of the costliest areas of health care, and in doing so save the government millions of dollars in Medicare spending. Directing resources to this underfunded AoA initiative would be a smart investment," said Kohl.

 

"These prevention and wellness programs for our chronically ill seniors are seriously underfunded," said Martinez.  "Many individuals already depend on local wellness programs that keep them connected within their community and help provide accessible jobs. With our nation's growing older population, providing choices to manage their own care is a proven way to help maintain independence, reduce health care costs, and improve the lives of seniors by helping them age with dignity."

Over 80 percent of Americans over age 65 have at least one chronic condition, and half have at least two.  Among older adults, chronic conditions account for nearly 95 percent of health care expenditures and limit the activities of 12 million people, decreasing their productivity and ability to live independently.  Evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion grants, authorized by the Older Americans Act, focus on chronic disease self-management, physical activity, falls prevention, and mental health.  Twenty-seven states are currently implementing evidence-based programs through innovative public and private partnerships.  Based upon this experience, these states can quickly and efficiently expand programming and their successful strategies can easily be replicated in other states.  The Aging Network has reached nearly 30,000 older adults since 2003, offering these programs in over 1,000 community organizations under the oversight of state aging and public health agencies.

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For a copy of the letter, click here:  http://www.aging.senate.gov/letters/aoafundingletter.pdf