03/2011 Legislative Updates

Michigan Association of Senior Centers

Three advocacy info items are attached.   One is a summary of elder care bills currently proposed in the Michigan House of Representatives.  Contact your local representative if you have questions or desire to have input on any of them.    Two other attachements are related to Older Michiganian Day.  This is an opportunity for you to get some of your seniors involved in communicating with the legislature on their issues.    Contact us here at MASC any time you think there is an issue we need to check out on behalf of seniors and senior centers.  One of our goals is to keep you informed on the issues and support you in your advocacy.    Elder Care bills in Mich House of Rep Older Michiganian Day flyer Older Michigan Day news article

 

URGENT-YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO SAVE THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

I wanted to provide you with an update on the Save Service efforts (Senior Companion Program), and to once again ask for your support and involvement.  

Last week, the Senate voted on two competing spending bills, H.R. 1 and a Senate Alternative. While both measures failed, it is clear Congress is deeply divided on the path forward.

Please note we now have very few working days left to make sure the final bill restores funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and its programs (Senior Companion Program).

 

I would like for you to let Senator’s Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow know how important the Senior Companion Program is to your agency/organization and especially how your clients/consumers benefit from the Senior Companion Program the Senior Companion volunteer!

 

So, on Tuesday, March 15, I am asking you to help us MAKE THE CALL to save service by flooding the lines to Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.

 

The phone number for Senator Carl Levin is: (202) 224-6221

 

The phone number for Senator Debbie Stabenow is: (202) 224-4822

 

Help us educate these two Senators about the value and cost-effectiveness of the Senior Companion Program!

 

One thing I do know is that without the Senior Companion Program, many older adults, organizations and communities will be the losers if the program is eliminated or drastically cut.

 

Thank you for your support!

 

Douglas Durand, Assistant Program Director

Senior Companion/Foster Grandparent Programs

421 S. Mitchell St.

Suite 2

Cadillac, MI 49601

231 775-6581

Fax: 231 775-5421

ddurand@catholichumanservices.org

the new Snyder Budget and how it impacts the older citizens of Michigan

Here’s some more information on the new Snyder Budget and how it impacts the older citizens of our state. Some info is new. See next posting too.

An atomic bomb hit Lansing this week . . . . just as Lieutenant Governor Calley predicted, with the release of Governor Snyder’s first budget plan on Thursday. 

After three years of cuts, the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA)  is again targeted for more cuts.  The Executive budget  for FY 2012 would cut $2.2 million; this comes on top of $10 million lost between FY 2009 and 2011.  The $2.2 million would come from community services ($1,025,500), nutrition ($791,000), Foster Grandparents ($201,000), RSVP ($56,400) and Senior Companion ($144,400).  OSA also receives federal funding, but cuts are also being discussed in D.C.   

   

Please sound your advocacy voice to convince Legislators to maintain funding for meals-on-wheels and other OSA services!  See the Advocacy Alert attached to this message for details.

Medicaid-funded long term care programs are a mixed bag.  For FY 2012, nursing homes would see a 2% increase in Medicaid ($35 million) and PACE programs would get 30% more ($7 million).  The MI Choice Medicaid Waiver would be maintained at the current level of $206 million.  But Michigan’s other major home and community-based program – Home Help – would be cut by $15 million (5%) next year.  The Governor also eliminates the Michigan Quality Community Care Council (MQC3) that runs a worker registry, does background checks, training and provides other supports for Home Help workers.   

AARP is voicing strong opposition to another portion of the Governor’s spending plan to raise revenues by taxing all public and private pensions, now totally or partially exempt from state income tax.  Right now, Michigan is one of the most retiree-friendly states in the nation in terms of income taxes.  It is estimated that 95% of older Michiganians 65+ pay no state income tax.  Other changes - the extra exemption for seniors would be eliminated, and the Homestead Property tax credit for those 65+ would be reduced.  Snyder would keep the total exemption on Social Security income.  The Executive budget would also eliminate the Earned Income Tax Credit, which benefits low-income workers including many in the long term care industry. 

SPEAK OUT AGAINST MORE CUTS IN OSA AGING SERVICES

AREA AGENCIES ON AGING ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

ADVOCACY ALERT

February 18, 2011

BACKGROUND:

Vulnerable seniors have been victims of the state’s budget crisis. Since fiscal year 2009, programs funded by the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) have been cut by $10 million – a 28% loss in state funding. And the Governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal year 2012 include even more cuts in OSA services.

Northern Michigan could lose several community services

Northern Michigan could lose several community services: "A non-profit organization that provides assistance to thousands of people across Northern Michigan could lose a major funding and be forced to cut programs."

Budget plan could burden senior citizens

Budget plan could burden senior citizens: "Part of Governor Rick Snyder budget proposal is to start taxing pensions."