Hill Visits Explored and Ready for Activation at the 2024 Age + Action Conference

Howard Bedlin has led NCOA's legislative advocacy efforts on issues and programs of concern to older adults for the past 25 years, which include the Older Americans Act, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, income security, and community services. Prior to joining NCOA, he worked for the American Association of Homes for the Aging (now LeadingAge), the National Association for Home Care, and AARP. Howard received his law degree and Master of Policy Science from the University of Maryland, and Bachelor’s in Political Science from Binghamton University in New York.

Marci Phillips is the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the National Council on Aging.  She is responsible for federal advocacy efforts regarding legislation and appropriations affecting the Older Americans Act, economic security, hunger, older workers, elder justice, and other community services for older Americans. 

Before joining NCOA in 2008, Ms. Phillips was the Legislative Policy Analyst at the National Community Action Foundation (NCAF), where she advocated on behalf of the nation’s 1,100 Community Action Agencies, and she served on the personal and committee staff of a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Sophie Morgado serves as the Legislative & Policy Associate at the National Council on Aging. In this capacity, she advocates for older Americans at the federal policy level, focusing on critical issues such as the Older Americans Act, mental health, vaccine equity, falls prevention as well as other healthcare, equity, and retirement issues. 

Prior to starting her professional career at NCOA in September 2023, Sophie served as Health Policy Intern at Powers Pyles Sutter and Verville, a Washington, DC-based law firm focused on healthcare issues. In this role, she supported the Powers team in various policy areas including aging, disability, and maternal health. During the Fall of 2021, Sophie served as a Legislative Intern for the United States Senate.

Sophie holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, with a health policy focus, from The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She also received her B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Political Science from West Virginia University.