Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling for a 12 percent funding increase for programs that provide meals, transportation and other services to senior citizens.
Sanders got 32 other senators to sign a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking for $225 million in new money to fund the Older Americans Act.
He says that in many areas of the country, seniors are on waiting lists for much needed services. Sanders says more than 65 million Americans are age 65 or older — with 10,000 more Baby Boomers joining that age group every day.
Programs that come under the Older Americans Act include Meals on Wheels, caregiver support and elder rights protection.
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