Speeches
2003
Remarks
of the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging
“Administration on Aging Initiatives” U.S. Senator Larry Craig’s
Health Care Conference - February 17, 2004
Good morning everyone.
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge my gracious hosts, Senator
Craig and Governor Kempthorne. (Center for the New West)
Senator Craig is a champion of the needs of older Americans and
family caregivers, and I thank you for all of the valuable work
you’ve done through the Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Governor Kempthorne has been a leader in long-term care and health
promotion, both as Governor and as Chair of the National Governor’s
Association. We share the same vision, and I look forward to
continuing our partnership with the NGA on long-term care issues.
There must be something in the water here, because Idahoans are
well represented by these two extraordinary individuals!
I also want to thank Doug Badger and Bill Novelli for providing
their insights on the major health issues facing our society
today and the very positive step this Administration has made
in modernizing Medicare.
Introduction
The Administration on Aging and the Aging Services Network are
the largest providers of home and community-based care services
in the country.
We serve older Americans over 60 and their caregivers, regardless
of income. In my view, this is the best feature of our programs,
as it allows us to serve baby boomers, their aging parents, and
their children, who one day will be caregivers.
Seven years from now the first of the baby boomers will begin
turning 65.
The number of Americans age 65 and older will more than double
to over 70 million by 2030. At that point, the entire country
will have the concentration of older people now found in my home
State of Florida.
The Administration’s initiatives all focus on creating
meaningful choices and opportunities for older Americans to live
independent and productive lives throughout their senior years.
New Freedom Initiative
Through the President’s New Freedom Initiative, agencies
throughout HHS and across the Federal Government are working
to break down the barriers to independent living and community
participation for people with disabilities of all ages, including
older adults.
This was one of the first actions President Bush took upon taking
office, and it reflects his personal commitment to fulfill the
dream of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed
into law by his father.
This bold initiative builds on past successes, and encompasses
all aspects of community living for people with disabilities – including
employment, education, housing, transportation, assistive technology,
and the whole range of home and community-based services that
are essential to maintaining independent living.
A cross-cutting principle underlying the New Freedom Initiative
is the ability to provide long-term services and supports to
individuals in a way that allows them maximum choice and control
over how, when, and from whom they receive this assistance.
Our system of long-term care should really be a community of
care – at the center of which is the person. It should
include traditional long-term care services, as well as home
care, adult day care, and skilled nursing care.
As individuals, communities and the private sector prepared
for the baby boomers, the community must also include transportation,
housing, employment supports, assistive technology, and health
services.
The community of care should be made up of a flexible, but coordinated
array of supports that let you choose how to receive long-term
care.
I believe that if we continue to focus on the person – and
serving the whole person – we cannot go wrong.
Key LTC Systems Change Tools
Over the last 2 ½ years, the Administration on Aging and
our HHS partners have provided states with a variety of tools
to help them create more opportunities for community living,
and more balanced systems of long-term care.
These tools include the National Family Caregiver Support Program,
the Real Choice Systems Change grants, the Independence Plus
Medicaid Waiver Program, the Aging and Disability Resource Center
Grants, and a special initiative to improve transportation services.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program was launched by
the Secretary in 2001. It recognizes that family caregivers
constitute the largest – and most important – part
of our long-term care workforce.
The program provides critical support to families, friends and
neighbors who are providing care for their loved ones, including
spouses, parents and even grandchildren. This program provides
the help and relief that caregivers need to care for their loved
ones at home.
In FY 2002 alone, AoA and the Idaho Aging Network have reached
out to 11,000 caregivers, and provided counseling, training,
respite and other necessary services, such as Adult Day Care
in rural communities.
Real Choice Systems Change Grants
The Real Choice Systems Change Grants Program – administered
by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – was
also launched in 2001.
This investment supports state efforts to make system changes
that result in more community options for people with disabilities
of all ages.
All states have received at least one grant, which means that
people everywhere, including Idaho, have more opportunities to
receive long-term care at home.
Aging & Disability Resource Center Grants
Joint initiative of AoA and CMS to help states set up “one
stop shop” entry points to long-term care.
The Resource Centers are designed to serve as visible and trusted
places where people can turn for information on the full range
of long-term support options, as well as assistance in accessing
those options.
This program will make it easier for you to lean about and access
the services you need to remain independence and in your own
homes.
AoA and Federal Transit Administration – working
to improve coordinated transportation services.
Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration
Lastly, I want to call your attention to an item in the President’s
budget. It is a five-year demonstration that would finance services
for individuals who transition from institutions to the community.
This program would also direct more Medicaid funds to help people
remain in the community.
Closing
In closing, I want to thank Senator Craig again for this opportunity
to speak with you today.
I am excited about all of the initiatives that we have underway
within the Department and look forward to working with all of
you to continue to move the community care agenda forward.
Disclaimer:
This text is the basis of the oral remarks of the Assistant Secretary
for Aging. It should be used with the understanding that some
material may be added or omitted.
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