Casey Selected as Top Democrat on Aging Committee

Senior Role Will Allow Casey to Build on Record of Protecting Seniors from Abuse, Scams and Fraud / Casey Will Play Leading Role in Ensuring Medicare and Medicaid Work for Older Pennsylvanians

Washington, DC- Following caucus elections, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has been selected as the top Senate Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee. This senior role will allow Casey to build on his record of protecting seniors from abuse, scams and fraud. During his time as Pennsylvania's Auditor General from 1997-2005, Casey investigated nursing home care for seniors and secured reforms that improved care and resulted in accountability. As part of his responsibilities, Casey will play a leading role in ensuring Medicare and Medicaid work for older Pennsylvanians.

"I look forward to taking on this leadership role so I can fight for Pennsylvania's seniors," Casey said. "I've focused a substantial amount of time in the Senate working to make sure our seniors are protected from abuse and fraud. As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Aging, I intend to build upon that work so that vulnerable seniors get the care they deserve and those who target them are held fully accountable."

According to the Senate Committee on Aging, "The Senate Special Committee on Aging was first established in 1961 as a temporary committee. It was granted permanent status on February 1, 1977. While special committees have no legislative authority, they can study issues, conduct oversight of programs, and investigate reports of fraud and waste.

Throughout its existence, the Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly.

The Committee has a long and influential history. It has called the Congress' and the Nation's attention to problems affecting older Americans. The Committee was exploring health insurance coverage of older Americans prior to the enactment of Medicare in 1965.

Since the passage of that legislation, the Committee has continually reviewed Medicare's performance on an almost annual basis. The Committee has also regularly reviewed pension coverage and employment opportunities for older Americans. It has conducted oversight of the administration of major programs like Social Security and the Older Americans Act. Finally, it has crusaded against frauds targeting the elderly and Federal programs on which the elderly depend."

Read this original document at: https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-selected-as-top-democrat-on-aging-committee