NYSCA
1450 Western Ave, Ste 101
Albany, NY 12203
518-765-2790
518-463-8656 (Fax)
info@coalitionforaging.org

New York State Budget 2003

Governor Pataki’s Proposed Budget Will INCREASE State and County Medicaid Costs, Reduce Community Based Service Options, Eliminate Jobs and Raise Fees and Taxes

REJECT THESE CUTS!

BACKGROUND – The Governor’s Proposed Executive Budget recommends cutting services to the community-based network that maximizes a seniors independence, supports their caregivers, and prevents and delays more costly care in hospitals and nursing homes.

STAGE 1 CUTS – Cost-effective community services focusing on health prevention and wellness
The Governor proposes to cut NYSOFA Administered programs by over $13 million – these cuts include
• Ending the EISEP program as we know it – eliminates all the statutory language and consolidates the Program into CSE – cutting it by over $3 million and shifting costs to the counties.
• Reducing non-medical in home services
• Reducing case managed services
• Eliminates CSI, NORC’s, Foster grandparent and RSVP funding
• Reduces social model adult day and respite funding
• Takes from our states poorest elderly, blind and disabled citizens in the SSI program their federal cost of living adjustment of $7 by reducing the states share by that amount.
• Increases the costs to participate in the EPIC Program

These programs & services are the first line of defense, helping to maximize independence and avoid more costly care in hospitals and nursing homes and they support the family and caregiver.

STAGE 2 CUTS – Cuts in Home Care – the middle level, helping to provide skilled care to individuals to maximize their independence
The Governor proposes steep cuts in home care, $355 million in new cuts on top of $35 million in existing cuts – total - $390 million (all funds – state, local and federal). Cuts include
• Elimination of the trend factor (basically an annual cost of living adjustment)
• .6% tax on gross receipts
• Utilization review of CHHA cases with high usage – resulting in loss of service and nursing home placement
• Elimination of 30% state share on “optional services” – these include LTHHC, home care, hospice and other services

These reductions, on top of years of other reductions at the federal and state level will reduce individuals access to skilled home care and personal care. According to the Home Care Association, there could possibly be 12 counties that have no home care programs in upstate New York due to these cuts, resulting in reduced access and more dependence on nursing homes as the only option of care.

STAGE 3 CUTS – Nursing Home Care
The Governor proposes deep cuts in nursing homes, nearly $300 million worth by taxing their gross receipts, eliminating their trend factor and other reimbursement cuts.

Nursing homes are already experiencing serious fiscal problems, this will exacerbate the problem and significantly impact the quality of care provided in nursing homes.

STAGE 1 + STAGE 2 + STAGE 3 =
An assault on the continuum of care
Jeopardizing the health and safety of older adults and persons with disabilities and Reducing the availability of lower cost community options that help one remain independent and support caregivers.

A violation of the Olmstead Supreme Court Decision!

In a post Olmstead environment, New York must begin to invest, over time, in services that enable individuals of all ages to live in their homes and communities.

The Proposed Executive Budget goes in the opposite direction, reducing access to cost-effective community based services, leaving nursing home placement as the only option – and significantly cutting nursing homes ability to care for their patients. These options are inappropriate and unaffordable as the budget proposes to shift more costs to county governments.

The proposal will mean the loss of thousands of jobs because health care is heavily dependent on labor costs, eliminating this funding will mean huge job loss and an increase in new Medicaid applications, for former workers and for individuals who cannot access community-based care.

THE MESSAGE

Tell your Assemblymember and Senator to “encourage that individuals live in the most integrated setting possible (their homes and communities) by rejecting the proposal that eliminates their access to community services – restore NYSOFA funding, do not Eliminate the EISEP Program and reject the Medicaid Cuts”