A Bipartisan Effort to Ameliorate Loneliness in the Elderly

I was never much of a fan of Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), who I always saw as a Paul Ryan-like, neoliberal politician. He was, for example, adamant about sunsetting Social Security , a wildly unpopular policy proposal that he later rescinded amid bipartisan blowback. For all intents and purposes, Scott's record, both during his time as Florida's Governor and Senator, is cookie-cutter GOP establishmentarian. That said, sometimes people surprise you. Scott, in partnership with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), reintroduced the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act , a bill that was endorsed by the Foundation for Social Connection, earlier this month. According to a press release , the bill would: Promote programs that combat loneliness and support community integration for seniors by adding “loneliness” to the definition of “disease prevention and health promotion services” under the Older Americans Act. Direct the Secretary of Hea...