Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) Meetings Report

The LCAO committees met on September 4, 2008 in the AFL-CIO Building in downtown Washington, DC.

Ed Coyle, the Chair, discussed the LCAO’s submission of written testimony to the Democratic National Platform Committee. This written testimony is available on the LCAO's website. He also noted that two senior caucuses were being held at the Democratic National Convention and said that he would forward information about the caucuses to LCAO members.

The keynote speaker for the council meeting was Debra Whitman, Majority Staff Director of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Dr. Whitman gave an insider’s view of the current status of legislation, which she feels is unlikely to see any action until after the upcoming election.  She gave a brief overview of the healthcare platforms of each presidential candidate. She speculated that an Obama presidency would be more comprehensive, involving increased technology and comprehensive care. By contrast, Dr. Whitman foresees a McCain presidency favoring using tax benefits to encourage private health insurance coverage. She has agreed to come back in the fall after the election and to give the committee a revised outlook for legislative tends.

Review of committees. Several Committees did not meet due to the August recess in Washington DC; therefore, some had no reports.  Nevertheless, all have been quite active over the summer.  Several letters have been sent to the hill in support of major issues effecting the aging population.

Health Committee (August 13, 2008). Brian Lindberg shared a copy of the press release that accompanied the LCAO’s Health Committee principles. He also discussed the Stimulus sign-on letter and had a call for sign-ons to the letter from all. 

Long Term Services and Supports Committee. Lee Goldberg shared that the Caring for Aging America Act letter is still out to full committee for signatures. He discussed his other letters, Empowered at Home Act, and the Nursing Home Arbitration Act.

Income Security Committee. Ashley Carson reported that the committee is seeking to expand its portfolio of issues beyond social security and pensions to issues that affect seniors and income, including: age discrimination, gender gaps in income security, lifetime income, security planning, and economic stimulus checks for seniors. The committee plans to work on a draft of Income Security Principles; to invite a broad array of speakers to subcommittee meeting; and to strategize on ways to stimulate congressional interest on issues in their portfolio.

Community Service Committee. Amy Gotwals reported on the receipt of a report from the Senate regarding an appropriations "wish list," and highlighted the committee's current commitment to advocate the passage of the stimulus package. She noted that the Elder Justice Act markup comes up on September 10.  Also, there is activity on another bill, Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere Act of 2008, which was introduced to assist volunteers who use their automobiles for benefit of a charitable organization. The measure would raise the volunteer standard deduction rate from the current 14 cents per mile to 70 cents of the standard business deduction rate.  Morgan Gable provided the site to view the sample letter to advocate for the bill.

The next meeting will be held on October 3, 2008.

The LCAO is a large coalition of the nation’s non-profit organizations serving older Americans. It is a 56 member association of which NADSA a member. LCAO is diverse and dedicated to preserving and strengthening the well-being of America’s older population. LCAO provides a voice for seniors and their families in the ongoing national debate on aging policy.