Johnson County Area Agency on Aging Director Tim Wholf and Deputy Director Carol Colnar recently attended USAging’s 32nd Annual Aging Policy Briefing & Capitol Hill Day on March 16-17. The annual two-day event in Washington, DC. is designed to prepare aging services professionals and advocates to influence federal policy.

The event is divided into two primary components:

Aging Policy Briefing: Attendees receive in-depth analysis from federal officials, congressional staff and policy experts around areas regarding the legislative landscape, including the Older Americans Act reauthorization, funding for senior programs and health care policy. These sessions cover the “insider” view of the current political landscape and provide the messaging and tools needed for effective advocacy.

Capitol Hill Day: Advocates take these tools directly to the halls of government, meeting with their respective representatives and senators to inform them on how federal policies specifically impact older adults and caregivers in their home districts.

USAging’s 2026 Policy Priorities highlight the needs of older adults and how Congress can support them in aging well at home and in their communities.

These priorities include:

• Pushing for the reauthorization and support of OAA programs that support aging well at home. This includes securing FY 2027 funding for critical aging programs.
• Bolster family and professional caregivers to meet growing demand.
• Protect cost-effective Medicaid home and community-based services.
• Connect health care and aging sectors to lower costs and improve outcomes.