Bill Overview
Title: Elder Pride Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes the Administration on Aging to award grants to state or tribal governments or other eligible organizations (e.g., area agencies on aging and multipurpose senior centers) for providing sexual health and other services for older adults in rural areas, with a particular focus on older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex individuals.
Sponsors: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Target Audience
Population: Older adults, particularly those identifying as LGBTQI+ in rural areas globally
Estimated Size: 8000000
- The bill focuses on older adults, which typically refers to individuals aged 65 and over.
- It specifically targets older adults living in rural areas, which represent a portion of the older adult population.
- The bill has a particular focus on older adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex (LGBTQI+).
- Global estimates of the LGBTQI+ population range around 5-10%, varying by region and identity.
- The bill also considers service provision for general sexual health, which addresses broad elderly health needs beyond just the LGBTQI+ community.
Reasoning
- The Elder Pride Act focuses on older adults living in rural areas, particularly those identifying as LGBTQI+. This demographic is both small in percentage and specific, which makes targeted interviews important.
- While the policy principally targets LGBTQI+ individuals, general sexual health services in rural areas under the policy would also benefit all older adults in these regions.
- The policy's budget can serve a substantial number given the target is a niche group, though it must cover a wide geographic spread in rural areas which can increase cost per service delivery.
- In these interviews, individuals vary by location, age, and identification to offer diverse perspectives and explore different levels of impact.
- Commonness of a situation or demographic will factor into the representation in interviews, balancing high-impact stories with everyday experiences.
- Considering cultural and social factors in rural areas is important, as they influence both the reception and effectiveness of the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Retired farmer (Rural Ohio)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could really help folks in my town, especially those who feel a bit isolated due to their sexual orientation.
- I believe having more services locally would save us the long drives to the city.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired teacher (Rural Alabama)
Age: 74 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's practically no support around here for women like me. This could change a lot for us.
- Visibility and services mean the world to folks who’ve had to hide most of their lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Former oil field worker (Rural Texas)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't had someone to talk to about my orientation in my entire life.
- If this policy can bring understanding and care to my area, it would help me... a lot.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Artist (Rural Vermont)
Age: 72 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a potential game-changer for some of my friends.
- Rural LGBTQ folks often get forgotten, policy like this puts us back on the map.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired nurse (Rural Montana)
Age: 80 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm straight, I think programs like these are necessary.
- Access to new health resources could benefit everyone, not just LGBTQ seniors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired electrician (Rural Georgia)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've kept a lot about myself hidden, even from family.
- This policy could give me a safe outlet to receive the care needed without judgement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired librarian (Rural Kansas)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I struggle with acceptance here, there's little support for my situation.
- This grant could bring critical services to an area that desperately needs them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Retired post officer (Rural Minnesota)
Age: 76 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see times change; help keeps getting closer to home.
- My generation's journey hasn't been easy; support means everything.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Homemaker (Rural South Carolina)
Age: 78 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Isolation is a daily battle; anything that bridges gaps in our rural healthcare is a blessing.
- I'm hoping this policy can make a difference and maybe offer more end-of-life care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired homemaker (Rural Colorado)
Age: 79 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Makes me happy to see my LGBTQ friends have more local resources.
- General improvements in healthcare access could help people like me too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $70000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $85000000)
Year 3: $70000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $85000000)
Year 5: $65000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $80000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $75000000)
Year 100: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Key Considerations
- The precise costs will depend on how many grants are awarded and the scale of services designed by each participating state or tribal government.
- Capacity building of current agencies and centers to effectively administer the services will influence initial cost requirements.
- Consideration of inflation and its impact on operational costs over the 10-year span.