Today, after months of negotiations in Congress, the White House released a framework for the Build Back Better Act, a package of investments in the health care and economic needs of American families. The House then released corresponding legislative text. The framework and legislative text represent significant progress in moving legislation forward that would improve the health and economic security of millions of older adults. The investments in home and community-based services are historic and will ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can remain at home instead of being forced into institutions, and that the workers who provide in-home support can be paid fairly and treated with dignity.  We also applaud the inclusion of key policies such as funding for housing and homelessness prevention, coverage for Medicare hearing benefits, and expanding Supplemental Security Income to the territories.

As the legislation continues to move forward, Justice in Aging will continue to fight for major priorities that are not currently in the framework including Medicare expansion to add dental and vision benefits and further improvements to SSI.  Adding Medicare dental benefits would provide essential care to 24 million older adults and people with disabilities who have no dental coverage, and who are disproportionately people of color. We will also join partners in continuing to push for additional critical policies for older adults and their families, including lowering prescription drug prices and paid leave. The time is now to meet these critical needs and advance equity for older adults.