On April 19, the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023 was introduced in the House and Senate. The bill builds on the existing Elder Justice Act by authorizing $4.5 billion in funding through FY2027 for existing programs and for three new programs to strengthen the long-term care workforce, address medical-legal needs, and respond to social isolation. The funding for new and existing programs includes:

• $1.6 billion for post-acute and long-term care worker recruitment and retention;
• $1.9 billion for Adult Protective Services functions and grant programs;
• $232.5 million for long-term care ombudsman program grants and training;
• $500 million to support linkages to legal services and medical-legal partnerships; and
• $250 million to address social isolation and loneliness.

The bill’s introduction was led by House Committee on Ways & Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-PA), and Co-Chair of the House Elder Justice Caucus Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). 

A summary of the bill can be found here. A section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.  The legislative text of the bill can be found here. Bipartisan sponsorship will be needed to move the bill forward, which LeadingAge supports. In addition, it is important to note that the fate of this proposal is connected to the larger debate about the debt ceiling/budget cuts.