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119-s-2120119th CongressWALLET

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

Passed Senate

Summary

Modernizes and reauthorizes the Older Americans Act to prioritize health outcomes and strengthen family caregiving. It updates program rules, boosts nutrition innovation, and sets multiyear funding and accountability measures for elder services through FY2026–2030.

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  • Family caregivers and older relative caregivers get broader supports, including an expanded caregiver definition, explicit respite care, and changes to RAISE and caregiver program governance.
  • Older adults receive a stronger health focus with a designated HHS officer for behavioral and cognitive services, expanded disease monitoring and falls prevention, new home modification and weatherization authorities, and more flexible medically tailored nutrition services and off‑site meal options.
  • The bill sets multiyear funding and tighter accountability for programs and tribal services, including Title V funding rising from $540.3 million in FY2026 to $647.4 million in FY2030, increased Grants for Native Americans, and enhanced tribal governance and reporting.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 15 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More funding for senior services 2026–2030

If enacted, this would authorize bigger budgets for aging services through FY2030. Examples: the Administration on Aging would be set at about $55.5 million in FY2026 and $66.5 million in FY2030. The Nutrition Services Incentive Program would be set at about $216.2 million in FY2026 and $259.1 million in FY2030. State and community grants would also rise each year (for example, one line from about $520.2 million in FY2026 to $623.2 million in FY2030). Congress would still need to appropriate the money each year.

Better links to disability and tech help

If enacted, the Act would use the ADA definition of disability. States would be asked to coordinate with assistive‑technology lead agencies so older people can get needed devices. ACL would issue guidance within two years to better connect aging and disability networks. The Assistant Secretary would work with NTIA so the network hears about digital literacy and broadband programs, and report to Congress within 90 days. Resource centers would share training and best practices, and agencies would coordinate so people know about federal programs that can help them age in place.

More flexible, tailored meals for seniors

If enacted, states could let up to 25% of certain congregate-meal funds pay for off‑site meals, like grab‑and‑go. Programs would be able to offer counseling tied to medically tailored meals and tailor services to your medical needs. A new competitive grant program would test local meal innovations, using up to 1% set aside each year. States could use any increase in their Section 311 allotment for these innovations when appropriations rise. Temporary waivers would allow new delivery models, with a report due by September 30, 2029, and this authority ending October 1, 2030.

More support for family caregivers

If enacted, the caregiver program would cover more caregiver types and add supports like trauma‑informed help and peer support. Youth would count up to age 22 if in school, with the caregiving relationship set before age 18. Respite care would be clearly allowed. Caregiver strategies would be made public, and key advisory efforts would continue through September 30, 2030, with added focus on substance use and public health emergencies.

More support for Tribal elder services

If enacted, grants for Native elders would be authorized to rise each year from FY2026 to FY2030. Tribal and Native Hawaiian grantees would be required, as practicable, to provide supportive services, with updated wording to clarify in‑home services. Funds would still depend on annual appropriations.

Home repairs and weatherization help for seniors

If enacted, older people could get help to repair or renovate their homes. Weatherization would be allowed only when it would not duplicate other federal help. The goal would be safe, adequate housing that meets basic standards so people can age in place.

National center to support care workers

If enacted, a national resource center would support the direct care workforce and family caregivers. It would provide training and technical help, and promote recruitment, retention, career growth, and fair pay and benefits. The center would avoid duplicating other federal resource centers.

More senior job funding, tougher rules

If enacted, senior community service jobs would get more authorized funding: $540,340,139 (FY2026), $565,318,627 (FY2027), $591,451,804 (FY2028), $618,793,048 (FY2029), and $647,398,205 (FY2030). Job success would be counted only if a participant works in the second quarter after exit and is still in unsubsidized work in the fourth quarter. Grantees that miss expected levels for two straight years would be barred from the next grant competition. If a State misses expected levels for two straight years, the State would have to run a competition for those funds in the next full program year.

New rules for aging program business deals

If enacted, Older Americans Act recipients (not Title V) would be allowed to contract with for‑profit firms to serve non‑program clients. If program funds are used, costs would be reimbursed, services would be sold at fair market rates, and any extra payments would go back to services under the Act. Rates would need to match prevailing market rates set by State or area agencies. If no program funds are used, recipients would have to notify the State within 45 days and each year, show the services and populations served, and address conflicts of interest. Big changes in services or populations would also require notice within 45 days.

White House conference on aging in 2025

If enacted, the President would hold a White House Conference on Aging between January 21 and December 31, 2025. HHS would run planning and publish the agenda within 30 days after approval. The Secretary would be allowed to accept cash or in‑kind gifts in addition to any appropriations and keep public records on sources and uses. A preliminary report would be due within 100 days after the conference ends, and a final report within 180 days.

Behavioral health plan for older adults

If enacted, HHS would name a leader to oversee older adults’ mental health, substance use, and cognitive‑impairment services. That leader would set goals, reduce service gaps and duplication, and report to Congress within two years.

More fall prevention and health checks

If enacted, grants would scale up proven fall‑prevention programs. Programs would also add heart rate and breathing checks, and share information on testing and treating infections that put older adults at risk. These steps would expand services, not create new direct payments.

Stronger elder abuse and ombudsman support

If enacted, a national clearinghouse would share best practices to prevent elder abuse and support legal help. The long‑term care ombudsman office would tailor volunteer training so it is not excessive. The ombudsman director would serve full‑time to strengthen oversight.

Tax and money counseling for seniors

If enacted, aging services could include tax help and financial counseling. Local programs would be able to offer this advice as part of legal and counseling services. This would expand available help but would not create new cash payments.

Clearer rules for senior jobs program

If enacted, older job seekers would be clearly listed as a group served by the community service employment program. The law would also spell out which career services count when deciding if someone failed to find employment, such as skills assessments, job search help, internships or work experience, and English‑integrated education.

Local governments first to run aging agencies

If enacted, when a State creates a new local agency on aging, a qualifying local government would get the first chance to run it. The local unit would need to meet the law’s requirements, show experience serving older adults (or be the only eligible entity with such experience), and have boundaries that match the service area.

New Tribal advisory group on aging

If enacted, an Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee with 11 voting Tribal members would be created, including at least one Alaska Native and one Native Hawaiian. Federal agencies would join as non‑voting members. The Committee would meet in person at least twice a year, publish an annual report, and get a written response from the Assistant Secretary within 60 days. Standard federal advisory committee rules would not apply to this group.

Stronger aging network and transparency

If enacted, states would, when feasible, make plan evaluations public and support multipurpose senior centers. Area agencies would need to show they can run plans; after two years of failing, states could require a one‑year fix plan. States would offer business and fiscal help to local agencies when feasible. Federal partners would plan ways to reduce social isolation.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

LA • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/18/2025

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 12/3/2025

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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