Earlier today (Sept. 22, 2009), Finance Chairman Max Baucus released a list of proposed amendments that he was immediately accepting for addition to the health care legislation. This document – called the "Chairman's Mark" – includes the original health reform legislation plus the automatically adopted amendments. This will likely the base text that the Committee members will debate. And the good news – The Elder Justice Act (EJA) was included in the Chairman’s Mark!

What does this mean for the Elder Justice Act? It means that if the Finance Committee approves its version of health reform legislation later this week or next, the Senate will have once again approved the Elder Justice Act. But we still need the House in order for EJA to become law.

It also means your voice is crucial for securing House support for the Elder Justice Act.

To act today:

1) Write to or call your Senator or Representative today to request support for the EJA – include a link to one of the below videos or click here to upload from YouTube to make your message more powerful.

2) Sign this petition and call on the U.S. Congress to act now.

3) Share a story via text or video: help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!

4) Forward this to your friends and anyone who cares about older Americans.

Thank you for your constant support!

This week offers a critical opportunity to advance the Elder Justice Act—a law that will finally bring a coordinated approach to ending elder abuse in this country.

You can help.

The Senate Finance Committee is considering the Elder Justice Act as an amendment to its health reform bill. This amendment would represent the most significant federal commitment to date to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It provides an unprecedented and dedicated funding stream for Adult Protective Services (APS), which operate in all states and are the frontline workers helping elder abuse victims.

It is critical the Elder Justice Act pass now because elder abuse is a growing national epidemic. There is elder abuse occurring in every zip code in the United States affecting our health care system, our economy and our social fabric. Click VIDEO to see and hear the stories of some our America’s abused and neglected elders from older adults themselves, their families and those who serve them in local communities across the country. These elders and advocates share their stories and beliefs because we, as a country, have to step up and protect older Americans now. We hope that once you have seen their stories you will take up this charge along with us.

This is a critical moment and we need your help – please:

1) Write to or call your Senator or Representative today to request support for the EJA – include a link to one of these videos to make your message more powerful

2) Sign this petition and call on the U.S. Congress to act now

3) Share a story via text or video: help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!

Thanks for your support!