As Iowa’s senior U.S. Senator, I bring unique life experiences to the policymaking tables in Washington. For starters, I’m the only working family farmer serving in the United States Senate. From my key committee assignments in Congress, I work hard to advance the interests of America’s family farmers. As a Midwesterner, I stay true to my roots and serve as an outspoken advocate for rural America.
The same goes for hammering out policy for the welfare of aging Americans. Throughout my service in Congress, I have advanced successful policy initiatives to improve the quality of life of older Americans, from pocketbook issues to health care security. That includes efforts initiated as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and charter member of the Aging Committee in the House of Representatives. And as chairman of the subcommittee on aging of the then Labor and Human Resources Committee, I steered through the 1984 amendments to the Older Americans Act.
During the month of May, America for the last four decades has recognized and celebrated the contributions made by older Americans. Born during the Great Depression, I count myself among the ranks of the 47 million Americans age 60 and older. We live in an aging American society where advances in medical science, healthier lifestyles and higher living standards continue to extend longevity.
Increased longevity presents opportunities for folks to extend their contributions to family, the workplace and community. As more people live decades after their "retirement," many find it possible to pursue second careers, volunteer, spend more time with family, take classes, travel and enjoy the blessings of longer, healthier lives.
America’s demographics also present new challenges to policymakers to ensure the safety nets are securely in place to protect the most vulnerable elderly. We also must look for ways to improve the quality of life and extend the independence of aging Americans. This includes making public policy that expands access to health care services, creates a system that promotes home-and community-based care, allows aging Americans to fully participate in community life, and creates incentives to help people afford the lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to achieve long into retirement.
Last year, Congress passed the most dramatic improvements to Medicare in the program’s 38-year-history. As the lead architect of the legislation in the Senate, I helped secure the first-ever prescription drug benefit available to Medicare beneficiaries. Other key improvements allow beneficiaries to choose coverage that best meets their needs and take advantage of preventive screenings to catch and treat health conditions early.
In previous years, I have sponsored legislation to extend the solvency of Social Security, the government's most successful program ever. When the Older Americans Act was renewed in 2000, I created a new program to support family caregivers, including those who often care for older family members.
In 2001, I steered through Congress tax incentives to help working Americans save more for retirement. I’ve sponsored legislation to simplify and protect workers' pensions, lessen the tax burden on retirees and encourage long-term care insurance coverage. My crusade to root out abuses in the nation’s nursing homes has led to improved enforcement of federal standards to improve the quality of care in nursing homes.
And as a watchdog of taxpayers’ hard-earned money, I conduct aggressive oversight over federal programs to curb fraud and protect the resources needed to serve older Americans. Whether it’s exposing waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare wheelchair program or demanding better scrutiny of the guardians cashing Social Security checks for beneficiaries, I put my congressional oversight authority to good use.
As a leading lawmaker on aging issues in Congress, I’ve been tapped to serve on the White House Conference on Aging. The 17-member policy committee will make recommendations next year on public and private efforts to promote the dignity, health, independence and economic security of older Americans. The White House aging conference started in 1961 and convenes roughly once every decade.
Serving Iowans in the U.S. Senate is a privilege I take seriously. That includes my relentless commitment to help older citizens participate in community life, enjoy independent living and good health.
"Aging Well, Living Well" sends a good message during Older Americans Month. In an aging society, Americans have an intrinsic interest to help strengthen the well-being of older generations this month and every month of the year. I encourage Iowans to reflect on their support of older citizens in their own families, workplace and community.