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Budget Resolutions | Legislative Priorities | Comptroller McCall - Analysis of available revenue | Press Release on Bush Budget for OAA | Text of "Bare Bones" Budget For
Immediate Release Coalition
Concerned With Bush Budget and Proposed Reductions to Senior Programs,
Urges New York to Help While the aging network, including senior services providers, senior citizen advocates and the New York State Office for the Aging are seeking an across the board increase in OAA funding of 10%, or $154 million to meet current needs and reduce waiting lists for services, the Bush Administration has proposed reducing OAA funding by $5 million. New York State has almost 3.2 million persons age 60 and older according to U.S. Census estimates. By 2010, New York will have over 5.5 million persons age 60 and over. It is important for seniors, for their families and for communities to be able to serve them when their needs are manageable, rather than wait for a manageable condition to become chronic in nature and require more costly service provided in the hospital, nursing home or other medical setting. "As a society, we need to focus on the quality of life in our later years, not the quantity of life" says Greg Olsen, Executive Director "The Older Americans Act is the backbone of the aging network. Because programs and services are not keeping pace with demand or with inflation, reductions at the federal level send a worrisome message to the aging network and will continue to pressure the states to act to fill the shortfall. Our members need the resources to be able to serve their communities effectively" In New York State last year, through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, over $25 billion was spent on medical care for seniors. However, only $233 million was spent on supportive services provided in the community that help prevent and delay costly care in hospitals and nursing homes. New York State, according to a Comptroller McCall audit, spent $56 million on community-based services, the federal government, through OAA funding, allocated $64 million to New York and local governments anted up $113 million. "There is clearly an imbalance in resource allocation and how services to senior should be delivered" Olsen continues "We are asking New York State to place a greater emphasis on prevention by boosting funding for community-based services that can delay high cost medical services. New York has an opportunity this budget year to invest in these programs that we believe will save money, will allow seniors to remain in their homes, will benefit the economy because seniors will still pay taxes and buy goods and services, and provides the outcomes that seniors and their families want" In addition to increasing Older Americans Act funds by 10%, NYSCA is seeking increases in state funding for community-based services - these services include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - $10 million, Senior Center Construction and Renovation - $10 million, Social Model Adult Day Service - $10 million, Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE) - $8 million, Congregate Services Initiative (CSI) - $3.5 million and Transportation Operating Expenses.
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