The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging was initially established in 1961 as a temporary committee; it became a permanent
Senate committee in 1977. As a special committee, it has no legislative authority, but it studies issues related to older Americans, particularly
Medicare and
Social Security.[1]
Prior to the passage of
Medicare, the committee was studying health care insurance coverage for elderly American citizens. The committee conducts oversight of the Medicare program,
Social Security and the
Older Americans Act. Some of the issues that have been examined by the committee include unacceptable conditions in
nursing homes, protection from
age discrimination, and pricing practices for
prescription drugs.[1]
^
abPursuant to
S.Res. 7 John Breaux served as chairman from January 3, 2001 until noon on January 20, 2001. Larry Craig served as chairman from noon on January 20, 2001 until June 6, 2001.