U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) introduced an amendment on the house floor to increase funding for the Older Americans Act last week.
McSally visited the Pima Council on AgingWednesday to talk about increasing funding by $14.2 million.
.@RepMcSally secures a $14.2 million increase in Older Americans Act funding. Now it has to go through the Senate vote @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/kKVvTyAtRn
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) September 20, 2017
The funding goes towards Title lll B Supportive Services which provides services like transportation, adult day care, and in-home chore services to older people.
"These are really important programs as Mark said that are helping people stay in their homes, which is good quality of life which is good for them," McSally said. "It's good for their family members and it is also good for the taxpayer, it is a good investment to keep good strong quality of life and support for our community members who are aging."
During the afternoon, McSally visited a woman who battled cancer and heart disease.
Opal Vigil ran out of money and was getting evicted from her home, but survived with help from a friend.
"I worked all that time," Vigil said. "There was no help for people like me, there was no help out there. I called every agency there was even though I was diagnosed with cancer and going through the treatments I was a liability and there was no agency that would help me."
Now she is getting services from the Pima Council on Aging and said the increase to funding would be very beneficial.
The bill will now go to the Senate floor for a vote.
