Time is running out to pass the federal Elder Justice Act (EJA). Victims of elder mistreatment should not have to wait for this comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to elder justice to finally become a reality. If the legislation does not pass now, the whole process will have to start over again next year.
The next critical step is the Senate Finance Committee meeting on Wed, Sept 10, 2008. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is a member of the Finance Committee and a co-sponsor of the EJA. Please contact Senator Schumer. Tell him why passage of this landmark legislation is so important to older adults in your community.
Not only does this legislation provide a comprehensive federal response to elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, it will provide the necessary funding to help states and local communities develop a coordinated response to address the very complex issues associated with elder mistreatment.
Each of you can help make a difference, even if you do so as a private citizen rather than in your professional capacity. If you have previously contacted Senator Schumer about this issue, please do so again now; and please encourage others to do the same.
Senator Schumer: http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/contact.html
Senate Finance Committee web site: http://www.senate.gov/~finance/sitepages/hearings.htm
Hearing to consider S. 1070 Elder Justice Act and S. 1577 Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing091008.htm
To listen to the hearing live online: http://www.capitolhearings.org/
For information about the legislation: http://thomas.loc.gov/
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