Congresswoman Budzinski visits Champaign to push Older Americans Act reauthorization

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski visited Champaign on Tuesday to talk about reauthorizing the Older Americans Act.

The bill would reauthorize programs and activities like regional aging and disability resources centers and programs to prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation around the country.

Budzinski said programs affected by the bill are critical to older adults in central Illinois.

"People are struggling to make ends meet, and a lot of these programs that I'm talking about just help to bridge that gap for them to keep them living independently and out of poverty," Budzinski said.

Budzinski also referenced issues with Medicaid and Affordable Care Act tax credits as reasons to push for reauthorization.