The Elder Justice Coalition today offered high praise for the House passage of the American Rescue Plan which includes $276 million in new funding for the Elder Justice Act. The legislation is the latest installment in pandemic relief packages but the first under President Biden. The additional $276 million comes just two months after Congress approved $100 million in elder justice funding in the last covid-19 bill in 2020. “We are especially heartened by the recognition in the House bill that the work of adult protective services and the long-term care ombudsman is important in this pandemic age. This work includes helping to prevent vulnerable older adults from falling victim to vaccine related scams as well as being able to improve the quality of remote work by APS workers. The bill also provides funding for needed personal protective equipment. For the ombudsman program, additional funds will allow them to resume their important work of investigating cases of abuse or neglect of residents in long term care facilities,” said EJC National Coordinator Bob Blancato. The Coalition had special praise for House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal who shepherded the elder justice funding through the House. Blancato said, “His commitment has been steadfast and has broken a ten-year logjam to get adequate funding for elder justice programs.” The bill now moves to the Senate, which is expected to begin work this week. The Coalition will be strongly advocating for the Senate to either accept the House-passed levels or do better.