(WNY News Now) In response to the rising cost of food, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for almost $2 billion in funding to increase nutrition services for senior citizens.
Washington, D.C.In a webcast press conference, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand demanded $1.842 billion for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C Nutrition Program, which offers senior citizens affordable meals. In light of rising grocery prices, the money will help meet the growing demand for nutrition programs by delivering 251 million wholesome meals to 2.2 million older individuals who are hungry nationwide. In a bicameral letter, Senator Gillibrand urged appropriators and congressional leadership to include this funding in the FY25 government funding plan.
According to Senator Gillibrand, inexpensive meal delivery services are a lifeline for senior citizens, particularly given the high cost of food.Nutrition programs guarantee that seniors with disabilities do not go hungry because they are unable to get to the grocery store, give homebound seniors much-needed social interaction, and assist seniors on fixed incomes access wholesome food that they might not otherwise be able to purchase. For this reason, I’m requesting $1.842 billion to support these initiatives, which enable our elderly citizens to age in their homes with dignity and in good health.
Meals on Wheels and other groups that provide seniors in need with wholesome food are made possible by senior nutrition initiatives. They are linked to a number of beneficial effects, such as a decrease in social isolation, food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, and medical expenses.
The complete text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to Senate and House appropriators can be found below or here:
To Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Vice Chair Collins, and Chair Murray:
We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of the Committee in supporting the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C Nutrition Program with resources.
We implore you to maintain adequate funding for the OAA Title III-C Nutrition Program as you review the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. 2.2 million older persons who are hungry and lonely can receive 251 million wholesome meals a year thanks to this assistance. We seek at least $1.842 billion for the OAA Title III-C Nutrition Services program to continue implementing critical nutrition programs that promote the health and wellness of our nation’s most vulnerable older adults in order to meet these needs and address the growing demand and increased costs for food and program operations that have led to substantial waitlists at many programs nationwide. Historically, both parties have supported this initiative.
Since 1972, the OAA Nutrition Program has been successfully meeting its purposes to: reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition of older adults; promote socialization of older individuals; and promote the health and well-being of older people. Title III-C Nutrition Programs enable older persons to age in the safety and dignity of their own homes by delivering wholesome meals and social interaction in communal locations, such senior centers, or straight to their homes. Additionally, these nutrition programs lower expensive medical costs associated with avoidable hospital stays and early placements in nursing homes. Put simply, this effective community-based and federally supported program improves senior health, safety, social connection and more while simultaneously saves healthcare funds.
Americans 65 and older are becoming more prevalent. One in four Americans are over 60 at the moment, and 12,000 more reach that age every day. By 2030 the number of older adults is expected to reach 91 million, with 112 million expected by 2060. As the number of older adults continues to rise, there will likely be a greater need for OAA services in the upcoming years.
For a long time, elderly individuals have struggled with food insecurity. Food insecurity affected at least 7 million older Americans in 2022. According to the National Council on Aging, older Americans who are Black, Hispanic, or Native American, have a disability, or have lower incomes are more likely to experience hunger. Mental health is also affected by food insecurity as 24% of food insecure older adults report fair or poor mental health compared to 5% of food secure older adults.
Over 17 million older persons have incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, indicating that economic uncertainty is common among this demographic. Older adults, particularly those who are vulnerable and underserved, are disproportionately sensitive to rising food prices with many financially dependent on fixed incomes. Data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) show that the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by a total of 20.4%, higher than the all-items CPI which only grew at 16.5%. These prices were 2.3% in 2024 than in 2023. Increasing food costs affect nutrition delivery services which would need an estimated $32 million in federal funding just to offset FY25 inflation. About one in four older adults 65+ already scrimp on food, utilities, clothing, or medication to pay for medical care. Economic and food insecurity in light of rising food costs are specifically problematic to older adults due to decreased mobility, limited shopping and cooking ability, and health challenges.
Services provided under the OAA Title III-C Nutrition Program are shown to improve physical and mental health outcomes among older adults. For example, a Meals on Wheels America report shows that malnourishment and feelings of social isolation improve among participants receiving daily-delivered meals. Older adults receiving regular meals report feeling safer at home. This study also reports that hospitalizations decreased significantly when comparing 3 months before and after enrollment. Feelings of social isolation were significantly improved among those living alone who receive daily-delivered meals.
Meals on Wheels America notes that A knock at the door might not seem like a big deal to many of us. But, to a homebound senior, it could signal the arrival of the only person they might see all day or all week long. It brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that will completely make their day. A knock from Meals on Wheels can even save lives.
Investing in the OAA a program that represents just one-hundredth of 1% of the entire federal budget saves taxpayer dollars by reducing premature and costly Medicare and Medicaid expenditures resulting from unnecessary nursing home placement or hospitalizations due to poor nutrition and chronic health conditions.
We respectfully request the FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill include at least $1.842 billion for these vital nutrition programs.
These vital OAA services fulfill our nation s commitment to supporting the right of all people to live independently and age with dignity, regardless of income or location. Thank you.