Bad Time to Cut Programs that Reduce Medicaid Spending

March 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Contact: Sheila Carmody (518) 366-6148, scarmody2009@gmail.com

Albany, NY – An increase in New York State’s senior population will mean fewer services for many of the state’s older residents because of an existing funding formula. The formula requires the New York State Office for Aging to shift funding from one county to another as a result of data from the 2010 U.S. Census -- despite the fact that during the last decade all counties in the state but one experienced surges in senior populations.

Click on the link for an illustrated map. http://www.sheilacarmody.com/All_But_One_County_Experiences_Surge_in_Senior_Population.pdf

Programs affected by the 2010 U.S. Census include the Expanded In-Home Services Program (EISEP) and Community Services for the Elderly (CSE). Both fund case management for the homebound, home care for those above the Medicaid level, senior centers, transportation, and other services that allow older New Yorkers to age in place, in their homes.

The New York State Office for the Aging administers the funds to county offices for the aging and is required by state Elder Law to redistribute the funding. The Aging Alliance, an informal network of organizations dedicated to supporting seniors living in their homes, asked New York’s Legislators in a joint letter dated February 28 to fill the gap by adding $1.6 million to the state’s 2012-13 proposed budget to preserve programs in the mostly urban and rural parts of the state where they’ll lose funding.

“As the state moves aggressively toward lowering Medicaid costs, it doesn’t make sense to start dismantling programs that already reduce state spending on long term care,” said Laura Cameron, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Area Agencies on Aging and a member of the Aging Alliance. “Both programs provide services to frail, homebound seniors who would otherwise utilize more costly services and might be admitted to a nursing home and then turn to Medicaid.”

Every New York State county but one saw an increase in their senior population. The following are a few of the communities affected:
•   The New York City Department for the Aging will lose over $386,509 despite a 12.4% increase in its 60 + population from 2000 to 2010.
•   The Erie County Department of Senior Services will lose $338,455 despite a 4% increase.  
•   The Schoharie County Office for Aging which was devastated by Hurricane Irene has had a 24.6% increase in its senior population yet it will lose nearly $28,000 in local funding.
•   The Essex County Office for the Aging, also hard hit by Irene, loses almost $20,000 for senior services despite a 22.6% population increase.

View map by clicking the link below.
http://www.sheilacarmody.com/Funding_increase_vs_loss_map...

“It’s an unintended consequence of a formula that creates a disparity for aging agencies they can’t afford right now. It isn’t as though we’ve decreased services in the parts of the state losing funding. Demand has never been greater,” said Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc.

Some of the organizations adding their names to the letter: the New York State Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Council of Senior Centers & Services of New York City, The Institute for the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, the Geriatric Mental health Alliance, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, among others.

For more information, call Sheila Carmody (518) 366-6148

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The New York State Association of Area Agencies on Aging is a nonprofit organization that works for the network of organizations that exists within New York State to promote independence, preserve dignity and provide support for New York residents as they grow older.