SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE SUPPORTS SENATOR COLLINS’ EFFORT TO HELP PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO SENIORS

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee has approved the “Older Americans Act” (OAA), a bipartisan reauthorization bill that will enrich the lives and well-being of older Americans.  The reauthorization bill includes language, authored by Senator Collins, to help provide transportation to senior citizens.  Specifically, the bill would allow the Administration on Aging to provide grants to support innovative transportation alternatives for the elderly, including programs such as ITNAmerica, based in Westbrook.               “Older Americans are struggling to stay active and independent while their ability to drive themselves declines.  That is why we must develop reasonable, practical, solutions to this important challenge,” said Senator Collins.  “I am pleased that the Senate HELP committee has included language in the Older Americans Act reauthorization bill that supports programs to address this complex problem.”                        In February, Senator Collins introduced the Older Americans Sustainable Mobility Act, which would establish a demonstration project to develop a national network of transportation providers to help older Americans who may struggle with or not have the ability to drive.  Her legislation builds upon models, such as ITNAmerica, which as been operating in Maine since the mid-1990’s and has since branched out to communities across the Nation. INTAmerica uses private automobiles to provide rides to senior citizens whenever they want, similar to a taxi service.  Riders open an account which is automatically charged a small fee when the service is used.  Riders can get credits for rides through volunteer services, through donations, and by donating their used car to the program after they have decided that they should no longer drive.               Senator Collins will now work with Senate leadership to help ensure the OAA reauthorization bill receives full Senate approval as soon as possible.   ###