"I thought that federal aging research was important when I first joined the Congressional Advisory Board of the Alliance for Aging Research. I still think it's important. Research on diseases that affect the elderly is so important to reducing the burden of disability among older people," Grassley said. "I believe the Alliance will continue to be a leader in helping to develop the research component presented by the increasing number of older Americans. I'm pleased to have been a part of this effort and look forward to working with the Alliance in the future."
Grassley has long been an advocate for older Americans. He was one of few Senators who supported and pushed for increased funding for Alzheimer's Disease and Osteoporosis research and has continued to support increased research funding. As Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Grassley helped sustain efforts on research that would likely lead to important solutions for many problems the older population faces. He convened a forum on conditions such as vision loss, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's Disease, and incontinence which are the cause of disability and disfunction among the elderly.
Although Grassley is no longer a member of the Special Committee on Aging, he continues his work for the aging population as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. The Finance Committee has oversight over many issues critical to older Americans such as Medicare, prescription drugs and Social Security.
Grassley is currently leading a tri-partisan group of Senators to bring the Medicare program into the 21st Century. Grassley said this approach recognizes that Medicare has served older Americans well since 1965, but needs improvements to bring the program into sync with the practice of medicine today. Today, a combination of prescription drug medications, outpatient services, and more advanced hospital technologies have created a whole new set of options for treatment.
"I'm leading a group of Senators from across the political spectrum to significantly improve traditional Medicare benefits, and provide meaningful and affordable prescription drug benefits to all Medicare beneficiaries," Grassley said. "We are laying on the table what we think is a good approach to Medicare reform so we can help the current seniors and the future beneficiaries of Medicare."
Grassley continues his oversight efforts to ensure a better quality of care in nursing homes and to scrutinize the entitlement programs that serve the elderly. Recently, Grassley released a report that finds serious flaws in the federal website designed to give the public reliable information about nursing homes.
Grassley is also a senior member of the Senate Judiciary and Budget Committees. He is co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
The Alliance for Aging Research is celebrating its 15th anniversary and is one of the nation's leading organizations for improving the health and independence of older Americans through public and private research.
Click here to view a photo of Senator Grassley receiving this award.