Argentum met with the Principal Deputy Administrator and senior staff at the Administration for Community Living (ACL) last week to discuss key federal policy priorities to support America’s growing older adult population. The meeting focused on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and planning for a future White House Conference on Aging, and the important role ACL will play in helping lead and coordinate conference planning and implementation.
Argentum underscored the importance of the OAA as the cornerstone federal law supporting programs and services that help older adults remain healthy, engaged, and independent in their communities. Among the most significant provisions of the pending legislation is authorization for a new White House Conference on Aging. We have consistently advocated for a national convening that would bring together policymakers, aging services providers, researchers, advocates, and older adults to prioritize policies related to housing, workforce development, healthy aging, caregiving, social connection, and consumer choice across the long-term care continuum.
Final enactment of the reauthorization legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives is necessary to provide the statutory authority for a future White House Conference on Aging. The Senate-passed legislation also includes provisions encouraging multigenerational engagement, promoting social connection, and addressing social isolation among older Americans.
The meeting reflects Argentum’s broader efforts to engage federal agencies and lawmakers on policies that strengthen aging services, expand opportunities for older adults, and ensure the nation is prepared to meet the needs of a rapidly growing senior population. ACL leadership expressed a continued commitment to improving the health and well-being of older Americans and advancing innovative approaches to support aging with dignity, independence, and purpose.