Whereas the percentage of the United States population that is 65 years of age and older, including the percentage of aging veterans, is rapidly expanding, with 10,000 Americans turning age 65 every day; Whereas Federal policies are needed that promote economic well-being and quality of life for older Americans across many different communities, recognizing race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural diversity, and the growing inequality between poor and wealthy families; Whereas Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act of 1965 provide critical resources to aging Americans and their families but should be expanded and improved to meet growing needs; Whereas prescription drug prices in the United States are nearly 4 times higher on average than in other peer nations, a burden that disproportionately falls on older Americans, as almost 90 percent of adults 65 or older take a prescription drug; Whereas aging Americans deserve a dignified, secure, and independent retirement, but nearly half of all Americans 55 and older have no retirement benefits or savings; Whereas aging women (the majority of those over 65) live longer on average, are more likely to live in poverty, earn lower Social Security benefits, and are less likely to have pensions because of paycheck disparities, time spent out of the workforce for family caregiving responsibilities, and a greater chance of having worked low-wage jobs; Whereas older Americans in rural, low-income, minority, Indian country, and other underserved communities may be especially vulnerable because of a lack of access to needed and affordable services that allow them to remain in their communities, including adequate transportation, functioning technology, and protected voting rights; Whereas 5,802,000 older Americans lived in poverty in 2018; 5,500,000 older Americans were food insecure in 2021