S.870 - Enhancing Native Elders' Longevity, Dignity, Empowerment, and Respect Act; Native ELDER Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.870, the Native ELDER Act, aims to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to better serve older Native Americans. The bill establishes an Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the Assistant Secretary on Native American issues related to the Act. It also expands in-home assistance to include home modifications and addresses technical assistance and training programs for grantees under Title VI of the Older Americans Act.
Expected Effects
The Act is likely to improve the delivery of services to older Native Americans by creating a dedicated advisory committee and expanding the scope of in-home assistance. It will also lead to increased reporting and evaluation of existing programs. This will help identify barriers to access and improve coordination between different programs.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced representation of Native American interests in the Older Americans Act programs.
- Improved access to in-home assistance, including home modifications, for older Native Americans.
- Increased technical assistance and training for organizations serving Native American elders.
- Better coordination between different programs serving Native American elders.
- Increased data collection and reporting to identify and address barriers to accessing services.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in establishing and operating the advisory committee.
- Increased administrative burden due to additional reporting requirements.
- Possible funding constraints in implementing all the provisions of the Act.
- Risk that the advisory committee's recommendations may not always be fully implemented.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on older Native Americans and not addressing broader issues within Native American communities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the lives of a specific segment of the population, older Native Americans. There is nothing in the bill that appears to violate individual liberties or rights as defined in the Constitution or its amendments. The establishment of an advisory committee and the allocation of resources for specific programs fall within the powers granted to Congress.
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).