Impact of cutting meals to seniors (click to read story)
March 17, 2011
 
Cuomo planned cuts to programs for the aged
State Cuts FY 11-12 affecting Seniors Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC e-ACTION ALERT Feb 3, 2010 “YES, THE SKY IS FALLING” CATASTROPHE FOR THOUSANDS OF OLDER NEW YORKERS AS STATE BALANCES BUDGET ON BACKS OF SENIORS TITLE XX CUT TO SENIOR CENTERS BACK ON THE TABLE - “INTENDED CONSEQUENCES” – WOULD CLOSE 110 NYC SENIOR CENTERS
1. Title XX cut back – $25.2 million cut to NYC senior centers –
a.. Last year, the Governor’s office said this cut had “unintended consequences”. This year, Governor Cuomo has put the same cut back which would close 110 senior centers in NYC and cut aging services around the state – these are “intended consequences”. The total cut to aging services statewide would be $37 million, of which $25 million funds senior centers in NYC. Funds would move over to child welfare services which is considered a “mandated service”.
b.. Title XX has funded NYC senior centers for about 30 years. While senior services is technically an “optional” service under title XX, after decades of providing core support (25% of all senior center funding), clearly it is not an optional funding source for the survival of 110 senior centers and the thousands of elderly New Yorkers who will be devastated at the loss of their local senior center. It is time to take this cut off the table once and for all.
2. $7.4 million cut to NY State Office for the Aging: Budget bill eliminates funding for various programs and develops local competitive grant program – Governor Cuomo’s budget eliminates funding for all these programs and uses some of the funds to establish a competitive grants program:
a.. “Establish Local Competitive Performance Grant Program for Aging Programs. A new local competitive performance grant program for aging programs will be funded with savings created by reducing support for various programs (with current funding levels) including: a.. Community Empowerment Initiative ($0.25 million)
b.. Congregate Services Initiative ($0.64 million)
c.. EAC/Nassau Respite Program ($0.24 million)
d.. Elderly Abuse Education and Outreach Program ($0.49 million)
e.. Enriched Social Adult Day Centers Program ($0.25 million)
f.. Foster Grandparent Program ($0.20 million)
g.. Long Term Care Senior Respite ($0.14 million)
h.. NY Foundation Home Sharing ($0.17 million)
i.. Patients’ Rights Hotline and Advocacy ($0.06 million)
j.. Regional Caregivers Centers for Excellence ($0.23 million)
k.. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program ($0.43 million)
l.. 2011-12 Value: $1.4 million; 2012-13 Value: $1.6 million"
a.. A total of $5.2 million annually is being cut from these programs, $10.4 million over two years. The competitive grant program is only $3 million over two years so funds leaving a $7.4 million loss of funds in total. CSCS is concerned that existing programs will be eliminated and that, overall, $7.4 million, will be lost in available dollars for services. It is our understanding that the Cuomo administration has established similar competitive grant programs in other state agencies as well. CSCS will find out more about the new local competitive performance grant program.
3. EISEP, SNAP and CSE funding –
a.. $5 million budget gap in EISEP, SNAP and CSE - Governor Cuomo’s budget left EISEP, SNAP and CSE funding the same. However, there is $5 million for EISEP, CSE and SNAP that is not in SOFA’s baselined budget that the legislature restored to prevent a previous cut. The state legislature needs to restore these funds.
b.. Budget bill does not proposed consolidating SOFA with DOH - However, Governor Cuomo has established a commission to look further into state agency consolidations. CSCS will keep you updated on this.
4. EPIC phased out – Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal ends premium subsidies for lower income seniors and only will pay in the donut hole. Since the donut hole is going to be closed by the federal health bill, eventually EPIC will be eliminated entirely. This goes into effect on January 1, 2012. Under this proposal, EPIC is being phased out as a state responsibility over the next ten years. Savings are $58 million this year and $93 million next year. EPIC was established under Governor Mario Cuomo.
5. Medicaid cuts - CSCS will be meeting with leaders in the Cuomo administration and the state legislature to discuss the important role community-based services could play in decreasing hospital admissions, nursing home placement and other costly Medicaid services. We are developing a series of recommendations that will be on our website soon. It is important that community-based service providers be part of the Medicaid re-design process as we have cost-effective programs to offer the state for both Medicaid and non-Medicaid eligible seniors. This is why it the March 2-3 Albany conference is so critical (see below) – to get educated and advocate for services. We will keep you updated on these issues. CSCS is still gathering information on the budget and will update you regularly. We will be reaching out to the aging services network to do advocacy to prevent title XX cuts and restore the $5 million to EISEP, SNAP and CSE. It is important to contact your state Assemblymembers and Senators. The city is reviewing the state budget’s impact and will be releasing its budget on February 17th. For further information, please contact Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565, x226 or bsackman@cscs- ny.org

WITH BUDGET CUTS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LONG TERM CARE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ATTEND THE CSCS/NYSCA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN ALBANY – MARCH 2 & 3, 2011 GO TO WWW.CSCS-NY. ORG FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION