WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema urged Senate leaders to ensure increased support for Arizona seniors in the next coronavirus relief package, including resources for Meals on Wheels and home health services.
“Protecting Arizona seniors during the coronavirus outbreak means guaranteeing safe access to affordable care and resources to stay healthy,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Aging Committee.
The coronavirus outbreak has placed many Arizona seniors at risk of food insecurity, and between March and May Arizona Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) increased the number of meals served to seniors by nearly 100,000. Additionally, AAAs in Arizona report they will exhaust all of their CARES Act funding by early fall. Without additional resources, thousands of Arizona seniors will lose access to home delivered meals during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Sinema’s letter calls on Senate leadership to include $1.1 billion in emergency funding for Older Americans Act programs, including $750 million for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels in the next coronavirus relief package.
Read Sinema’s full letter HERE.
Sinema championed the Supporting Older Americans Act, which was passed into law in March of this year, that will improve Arizona seniors’ health care, increase access to caregivers, and keep seniors safe. Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus.
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