If you have been following your local news throughout 2024, you may have seen stories about changes the state of Indiana is making in how it uses Medicaid to support older adults and people with disabilities live vibrant, healthy and engaged lives in their own home and communities.
Indiana Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have been actively engaged in these efforts to advocate for, assure continuity of services and assist the Medicaid members they have known and supported for many years in managing these transitions.
But not everything that affects the ability of older Hoosiers and people with disabilities to live independently originates with state government. Important policy decisions happen at the federal level too, and IAAAA and the AAAs have been key influencers there as well.
Our top federal priority has been congressional reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. The act designates AAAs as local community leaders enabling older Americans to live and age in their homes and communities rather than in an institution.
Through the funding of eligible services and resources—including paid in-home caregivers, nutrition assistance, transportation, home modifications, family caregiver respite, health and wellness education, care management, options counseling and other supportive services—the act and its local AAA partners are critical in assisting many older adults to thrive in their homes and communities. The current reauthorization effort addresses the changing needs of older adults and incorporates innovations AAAs created and implemented during the pandemic.
IAAAA and Indiana AAA staff worked closely with our national association, USAging, and Sen. Mike Braun’s staff, advocating Hoosier ideas for improvement, with Generations Executive Director Laura Holscher even testifying on May 23rd before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in Washington, D.C.. Through our joint efforts, the language the U.S. Senate ultimately passed directly reflected several of our home-grown priorities.
We are also a national leader in educating Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare fraud, errors and abuse through Indiana’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federal program IAAAA administers in conjunction with Indiana AAAs, senior centers, and a Center for Independent Living. Our own SMP Program Director, Nancy Moore, testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on September 19th to underscore the vital work of AAAs and the Aging Network in fighting scammers and fraudsters who prey on older adults and people with disabilities.
Together, we can make a difference by influencing state and federal decisions that directly affect the Hoosiers we love and care for. Contact your legislators to let them know what is important to you and your family!
