Hickenlooper Cheers Committee Passage of Bill to Strengthen Services for Older Americans, Expand Federal Nutrition Programs

Hickenlooper's Nutrition Services Improvement Plan Act included in OAA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), celebrated the committee passage of his Nutrition Services Improvement Plan Act. Hickenlooper's bill would help congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs, like Meals on Wheels, provide healthier meals with produce from local farms. The bill passed as part of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act.

"Programs like Meals on Wheels are a literal lifeline for millions of older Coloradans," said Hickenlooper. "This bill will help make those meals healthier while supporting local producers."

Specifically, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the feasibility of the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP), including organizations like "Meals on Wheels", to establish partnerships with local farms to supply produce for nutritious meals. The study would also examine the potential health benefits of providing fresh produce and healthy meals to older adults who rely on these programs.

The Older Americans Act supports social and nutrition service programs for more than 11 million seniors across the country and is up for reauthorization at the end of fiscal year 2024. The Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act extends the Older Americans Act from fiscal year 2025 to 2029. In fiscal year 2023, Colorado received $22.8 million in funding from OAA for Title III Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging, $1.4 million under the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, and $390,000 under Title VII for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities.

The HELP Committee also approved an additional Hickenlooper-cosponsored provision to expand food-based medical interventions for older Americans under the OAA, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The package now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.

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