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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and House Democrats relaunched a task force focused on addressing the needs of our nation’s seniors and their families, and the needs of future retirees. Dingell returns as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, and will continue work on improving policies for seniors as well as the needs of caregivers and how again impacts an entire household.

“Complicated policies around healthcare and long-term care challenge too many seniors,” said Dingell. “After a lifetime of hard work, seniors have earned a retirement with financial security, proper medical and long-term care, and a quality of life that allows them to continue to contribute to society. This isn’t just important for seniors, it’s important for families and caregivers who balance a lot to take care of aging family members. The Task Force will work together to ensure we are doing right by America’s seniors.”

Reality is too many seniors live on limited budgets and struggle with the cost of healthcare, long-term care, and the increasing cost of prescription drugs. As our nation’s population continues to grow older, more seniors and soon to be retirees fear they will run out of money during retirement unless they are afforded the safety nets they were promised.

The mission of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families is to promote and raise the public’s awareness of policies in Congress that would impact the health and well-being of America’s seniors. The Task Force accomplishes this mission by focusing on principles that are critically important to aging Americans:

• Financial Security
• Affordable, Reliable Health Care
• Quality of Life as People Age
• Access to long-term care services that allow seniors to age with dignity

One of Dingell’s top priorities is bringing the country’s long-term care system into the 21st century. Earlier this year, Dingell led the passage of two short-term extensions of the bipartisan Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, which provides grants to states to help Medicaid beneficiaries voluntarily transition from receiving long-term care in an institutional setting to their homes or a community setting. Dingell also introduced the EMPOWER Care Act that will extend the program for five years.

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