[SeniorTaskForce-News] Senior Task Force: Take Action over August

[Rosanna McLain]

For your consideration.

 

Rosanna

 

 

 

 


Subject: There Is No Time to Loose: Take Action over August

 

 National Association of Area Agencies on
Aging<http://www.n4a.org/images/Advocacy_Alert_masthead.jpg> 

 

There Is No Time to Loose: Take Action over August

With a Debt Ceiling Deal in Place, Congress Will Soon Resume 

FY 2012 Appropriations Work

 

August 8, 2011

 

As reported last week (Legislative Update 8/2/11
<http://www.n4a.org/members/legislative-updates/?fa=view-article&id=949>
), the first stage of the debt ceiling deal caps discretionary spending
over 10 years, driving $900 billion in deficit reduction. While the deal
calls for reducing the overall discretionary budget in FY 2012, it would
provide $24 billion in funding above the House budget resolution. This
new budget target will allow Appropriators in both chambers to move
ahead in September in making funding decisions for FY 2012.

 

While this revised budget target in the debt ceiling deal for FY 2012
could help reduce the amount of cuts initially proposed by the House,
especially to key programs under the Labor-HHS-Education and
Transportation-HUD spending bills, all programs will have to advocate
vigorously to maintain their funding.

 

As part of the second stage of the deal, congressional leaders will name
appointees to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or "Super
Committee," by August 16. This Committee is charged with finding an
additional $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts by November 23. The Super
Committee could propose more cuts to discretionary programs as well as
cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and the health reform law. Once the members
of the Super Committee are named, n4a will issue an advocacy alert
outlining the steps you can take to reach out the Committee members.

 

Until then, it is critical that we focus all our energy over recess on
reaching out to legislators on OAA program funding for FY 2012. To find
out if your Representatives/Senators are members of the Appropriations
Committee or Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittees, see: 112th Key
Congressional Committees
<https://www.n4a.org/files/advocacy/aging-policy-briefing/2011/Key_Commi
ttees_of_the_112th_Congress.pdf> .

 

 

Action Steps to Take:

 

STEP 1: Call the local offices of your Representatives/Senators and
request a meeting to discuss the importance of investing in OAA
programs. To find contact information for their state offices, visit
their websites, which you can find at: www.senate.gov
<http://www.senate.gov>  and www.house.gov <http://www.house.gov> .
Attend any public events/town halls they are hosting and talk about the
OAA and/or email their local and DC offices.

 

STEP 2: Invite your legislators to make a site visit to local health
prevention program or ride along with a Meals on Wheels volunteer;
invite them to events you are hosting this month. This is a great
opportunity to educate your elected officials about critical OAA
programs your agency operates and the services you provide to their
constituents; and ask your legislators to maintain OAA funding and
sustain the capacity of these programs to serve older adults.

 

STEP 3: Ask others to do the same! Urge colleagues, advisory board
members, volunteers and clients to make calls and send emails to your
agency's House and Senate congressional delegation. The more calls and
emails, the more likely OAA programs will be spared from severe cuts in
FY 2012.

 

Looking for more information on the OAA, visit: n4a's Ramping Up for
Reauthorization-OAA Toolkit
<http://www.n4a.org/advocacy/campaigns/OAAreauth2011/?fa=ramping-up> .

 

 

If you have questions about this Advocacy Alert, please contact n4a's
Public Policy and Legislative Affairs staff, Amy Gotwals and K.J. Hertz,
at 202.872.0888 or agotwals at n4a.org <mailto:agotwals at n4a.org> ,
khertz at n4a.org <mailto:khertz at n4a.org> . 

 

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 872-0888
Fax:(202) 872-0057

To unsubscribe send email to webmaster at n4a.org

 

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