NCOA to Highlight Top Policy Issues Facing Seniors in Critical Election Year

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Mar 22, 2012, 11:00 ET

NCOA and ASA Advocates Will Bring Voices of Older Adults to Congress March 28

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over the next few months, Congress is expected to make major decisions affecting a wide range of services for seniors and their families.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100615/NCOALOGO)

At the 2012 ASA Aging in America conference, March 28-April 1 in Washington, DC, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will provide aging services advocates with the information and resources they need to urge lawmakers to protect and strengthen programs for seniors, especially those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Aging in America is the nation's largest gathering of professionals from the fields of aging, health care, economic security, and senior education.

NCOA policy experts will hold sessions and discussions on the following areas:

Federal Budget and Aging Services Funding
Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Medicare, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care

Two unique workshops will highlight collaborative leadership to advance long-term services and supports policy goals in this election year, and understanding lessons learned from the One Away video advocacy campaign for elder economic security.

In addition, NCOA and the ASA Public Policy Committee are sponsoring Capitol Hill Advocacy Day on March 28, where aging services professionals will have the opportunity to meet in person with their lawmakers and staff to advocate for older adults. To find out more information, please click here.

For those who cannot attend Capitol Hill Advocacy Day in person, NCOA is sponsoring a Virtual Advocacy Day with opportunities to participate from home. Advocates will be able to send a message to their lawmakers on March 28 and share it through social media. For more details and to sign up, please click here.

"This election year provides a prime opportunity for advocates to urge Congress to protect and strengthen programs for America's older adults—especially those who are struggling in this economy," said Howard Bedlin, vice president for public policy and advocacy at NCOA. "It is imperative that legislators hear from their constituents and understand the issues older adults are facing."

Full details on the conference can be found at www.ncoa.org/AginginAmerica2012.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org |www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging

SOURCE National Council on Aging