Senior Savings Protection Act
Summary
The Senior Savings Protection Act aims to extend funding for outreach and assistance programs that support low-income individuals. Specifically, it amends Section 119 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. The bill allocates additional funding to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and coordination efforts for informing older Americans about available benefits.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill will ensure continued financial support for programs assisting low-income seniors. This extension of funding will allow these programs to maintain and potentially expand their outreach and assistance efforts. The bill provides an additional $15 million per year for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, Area Agencies on Aging and coordination efforts and $5 million per year for Aging and Disability Resource Centers from 2026 through 2030.
Potential Benefits
- Continued support for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.
- Sustained funding for Area Agencies on Aging.
- Ongoing resources for Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
- Enhanced coordination of efforts to inform older Americans about available benefits.
- Financial stability for programs serving low-income seniors.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill does not address the long-term sustainability of these programs beyond 2030.
- The allocated funding may not be sufficient to meet the growing needs of the aging population.
- The bill does not include specific metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of the funded programs.
- Potential for administrative overhead to consume a portion of the allocated funds.
- The bill does not address potential overlaps or redundancies between the different programs receiving funding.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's directive to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). Congress has the power to appropriate funds for specific programs under Article I, Section 8, which grants the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The bill falls under the purview of Congress's spending power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).