Congress Approves Positive Aging Act Provisions in Older Americans Act Reauthorization

On September 28 and 29, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed H.R. 6197, which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act. The bill includes a provision of the Positive Aging Act under which the Administration on Aging will make grants to states for the development and testing of model mental health delivery systems utilizing evidence-based protocols for the identification and treatment of mental disorders in older adults. AAGP was responsible for the crafting and introduction of the Positive Aging Act and has advocated strongly for inclusion of its provisions impacting the Administration on Aging into the Older Americans Act reauthorization.

The legislation contains additional language reflecting provisions of the Positive Aging Act, calling for development of multi-disciplinary systems for the delivery of mental health screening and treatment referral services for older adults and also allows the Administrator to designate an officer to administer mental health services.

Passage of this bill is a major step forward for the legislative agenda of AAGP. The Positive Aging Act also would provide for evidence-based mental health services for older adults under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). AAGP will continue efforts to include those provisions in SAMHSA reauthorization legislation, which the new Congress may consider after it convenes in 2007.

Please email questions and comments to kmcduffie@aagponline.org.