The State of New York is facing its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The Governor has been petitioning the federal government for more aid, and was successful in receiving additional funds for the home heating assistance program. These funds are already being distributed to households in need throughout the state. Additionally, Governor Paterson is asking Congress and President-elect Obama to provide economic bailout funds to the state to offset the loss of revenues due to economic crisis on Wall Street. The Governor has been urging state legislative action to reduce the deficit and has jump started the next fiscal year's budget negotiations by submitting his proposed budget more than a month before its due date. The Executive Budget recommends many difficult actions needed to close a four year budget gap of $51 billion and makes every effort to maintain funding for core programs which provide important services to the elderly.
With the support of the Governor, the NYS Office for the Aging has been able to carefully reduce our proposed budget appropriations without negatively impacting core services which enable older persons to remain living independently in the community as long as possible. Under the proposed 2009-10 budget, there will be no major reductions from the final 2008-2009 budget in base funding for Community Services for the Elderly (CSE), Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISEP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and Neighborhood NORCs, Social Adult Day Care, and Health Insurance Information and Counseling Assistance Program. There were no reductions from the final 2008-09 budget base funding for Caregiver Resource Centers, Caregiver Centers for Excellence, Foster Grandparents, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and the Community Empowerment Initiative.
Consistent with the approach recommended for all human service programs, the Budget reduces the COLA for EISEP, CSE and SNAP in 2008-09 by 1.0 percent (to 2.2 percent) and eliminates it for 2009-10. However, to reflect a long-term commitment to these programs, a COLA is planned for 2010-11 and 2011-12, and an extension of the COLA for an additional year (2012-13) is recommended. Spending will be reduced for the Stony Brook Evaluation of Geriatric Home Care, and the Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program, as well as the Congregate Services Initiative and the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Spending will be reduced for NY Connects, but will not result in a reduction to funds used by localities to implement this program. In addition, funding is eliminated for the Affordable Independent Living Senior Housing Pilot, Social Workers for Geriatric In-Home Care, End of Life Care, Enriched Social Adult Day Centers, Long Term Care Insurance Outreach and Education, Sustainable Transportation, and the Geriatric In-Home Medical Care Pilot. Even after these reductions, there will still be $110.6 million of state funds spent on community senior services in 2009-10.
Changes are proposed to the Elderly Pharmaceutical Assistance Program, and the Governor has increased funding by $2 million in additional funding for local Area Agencies on Aging and community-based organizations to assist EPIC enrollees in selecting, accessing and maximizing appropriate Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some savings from changes in EPIC drug coverage will help reduce cost sharing for low-income seniors.
Additional information of interest to older New Yorkers can be found in the NYSOFA budget as well as in other state agency budgets. This information is available for review on the Division of the Budget web page at
http://www.budget.state.ny.us
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We will continue to work with the Area Agencies on Aging, the aging services network and the advocacy community to support Governor Paterson's commitment to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers. We will partner with the aging services network to identify and develop creative solutions to meet the needs of all older New Yorkers. We will invest in volunteerism and encourage the retiring baby boomers to provide service to their neighbors and communities.
