Pennsylvania's two senators crossed party lines Thursday for a rare joint field hearing on loneliness among older adults — one of only two releases statewide during a pre-election recess week.
A bipartisan pair of Pennsylvania senators took the Senate Special Committee on Aging's work on the road Thursday, hosting a field hearing in Pittsburgh focused on social isolation among older adults. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., heard testimony from aging-services providers across the state — a rare joint appearance between the two during the ongoing pre-election state work period.
The hearing surfaced a striking data point: 32% of Meals on Wheels clients in Lancaster, according to testimony from the organization's executive director, report that a meal delivery volunteer is the only person they see on a given day or week. That figure drew a direct response from Fetterman on the record.
Just one release reached the Capitol Releases inbox Thursday — against a Thursday average of 72. The Senate remains in its pre-election state work period.
Senior loneliness field hearing, Pittsburgh
Fetterman and McCormick convened the hearing with a panel of four witnesses: Dr. Shannah Gilliam of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging; Dr. Martin Sliwinski of Penn State University's Center for Healthy Aging; Feleen Nancarvis, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Lancaster; and Laura Poskin, chief aging officer at Jewish Healthcare Foundation.
"I've always believed in the importance of connecting forgotten communities and making sure they aren't left behind. That includes our aging neighbors and the often unaddressed needs they have," Fetterman said. "Hearing that Meals on Wheels might be the only human contact older folks have that week is alarming. Social isolation and loneliness are serious issues, and I'm grateful for the witnesses' testimony today and understanding how we can better serve the community."
McCormick framed the hearing in terms of obligation to an older generation. "Pennsylvania seniors helped build our communities, worked our mills and mines, and served our country, and they deserve to stay connected," he said. "Today's hearing is about finding practical ways to reach isolated seniors and ensuring local organizations across Pennsylvania have the support they need to help."
Nancarvis put a number on the isolation problem during the hearing. "One of the stats I do have, we conducted a survey earlier this year, and 32% of respondents claim that a volunteer that they see delivering their meals is the only person they see on a given day or even a week," she said. "The food is a necessary part in alleviating that isolation and loneliness but that knock on that door is as well." The release also noted that Fetterman has previously introduced the Senior Hunger Prevention Act and the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act — both targeting benefits for older adults.
Signals
- volumeThursday's count of 1 release runs 98.6% below the Thursday average of 72, consistent with the ongoing pre-election state work period.
- recessThe Senate is in its pre-election state work period; no floor votes are scheduled.
- silent breaksSen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, has not issued a release in 107 days — the longest current silence in the tracker.
Quiet desks
Senators with no release in two weeks or more.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC107d
- Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK105d
- Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS99d
- Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT65d
- Sen. John Kennedy, R-LA42d