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Aging Act provisions
incorporated
(December
2006 Issue)
By Pamela Berard
Seniors could benefit from increased mental health screening and
treatment under the reauthorized Older Americans Act.
The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 ( H.R. 6197) was passed
by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in late September
and signed into law by President Bush on Oct. 17. It amends the
Older American Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for fiscal
years 2007 through 2011.
The bill features a greater focus on prevention and treatment of
mental disorders and offers some features that were introduced in
the Positive Aging Act of 2005.
The Positive Aging Act of 2005 was introduced last year by Senators
Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). That bill
was not voted on this session.
At the end of every Congress "the slate is kind of wiped clean,"
explains Michael S. Zamore, policy advisor for Kennedy's office.
Therefore, the Positive Aging Act would need to be re-introduced
during the next Congressional session to be considered again.
However, Zamore says some significant portions of that Act were
incorporated into the reorganization of the Older Americans Act.
"We're pretty pleased about that. We worked very closely with the
committee," he says. "Sen. Clinton worked hard to try to get some
of the Positive Aging Act provisions into the Older Americans act
on that side.
"We certainly didn't get everything that was in that bill," Zamore
says.
"Basically we just sort of tried to infuse mental health throughout
(the Older Americans Act reauthorization) so that these programs
that are aimed at older Americans and promoting their health are
specifically addressing mental health as well."
The bill includes a provision of the Positive Aging Act of 2005
under which the Administration on Aging will offer state grants
for the development and operation of systems for the delivery of
mental health screening and treatment services for those older Americans
who lack access to such services.
The legislation also calls for development of multi-disciplinary
systems for the delivery of mental health screening and treatment
referral services (including diagnostic services, care planning
and oversight and therapeutic interventions) for older adults.
Also, it includes provisions to build public awareness for the
benefits of prevention and treatment of depression and mental disorders;
and to reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders in older
Americans and age-related prejudice and discrimination regarding
such disorders.
The Older Americans Act reauthorization was "a perfect fit" to
accomplish some of the goals of the Positive Aging Act, he says.
"You look for whatever vehicle is moving and try to realize your
goals through something bigger," Zamore says. "This is a very logical
nexus."
Zamore says that he expects some version of the Positive Aging
Act will likely be introduced next session. "There's a lot more
to be done (on this issue)."
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