Sen. Collins Delivers Keynote Address at the Aroostook Agency on Aging Annual Meeting

CARIBOU, Maine, Oct. 12 -- The office of Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, delivered the keynote address at the Aroostook Agency on Aging's Annual Meeting this morning at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Approximately 130 people attended the event, including Board Members, community members, organization staff, volunteers, community partners and donors, and municipal leaders. During the meeting, board members and officers were elected and employees were recognized for their dedicated service.

"Recent Census data confirm Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and Aroostook County has a higher median age than the rest of our state. We are working together to build a shared vision for aging that is centered on health, wellness, and community," said Senator Collins. "The Aroostook Agency on Aging is dedicated to empowering our seniors to stay in the homes and communities they love, for as long as possible, in safety and security. There is truly no place like home, and your commitment, energy, and compassion make it possible."

As the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, Senator Collins has made it a priority to improve health and wellbeing to enable aging in place; stop fraud and financial exploitation targeting seniors; lower the soaring cost of prescription drugs; improve financial security for retirement; and increase funding for biomedical research for diseases and illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's.

This week, Senator Collins' legislation to prohibit the use of pharmacy "gag clauses" was signed into law after passing both the House of Representatives and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act prohibit an egregious practice that concealed lower prescription drug prices from patients at the pharmacy and caused consumers to needlessly overpay.

A non-profit serving Aroostook County since 1972, the Aroostook Agency on Aging's mission is to improve the quality of life, maximize the independence, and promote the well-being of older individuals in northern Maine. It does this through programs and services for older adults and individuals with disabilities focused on food assistance, transportation, elder care, caregiver support, and health insurance counseling.