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Elders well served by Berkshire County legislative team
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Elders well served by Berkshire County legislative team
Much has been said and written during the past few months about the coming fiscal year, which will begin July 1, 2003, and whether the services upon which elders depend in order to remain where they want to be - in their own homes within their own communities - will continue to be available to them.
There has been much to be concerned about, particularly in regards to the Governor’s proposals to eliminate the Prescription Advantage Plan, to drastically reduce funding to the Councils on Aging, and to re-organize and downsize the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
There has been a significant amount of advocacy to restore the Prescription Advantage Plan so that elders are not forced to choose between buying food or their prescription medications because they can’t afford to pay for both; to provide appropriate funding to the Councils on Aging so that they can continue to serve their communities and provide a vital every day link - and lifeline - between elders and those communities; and, to retain a strong Executive Office of Elder Affairs that controls its own budget and programs so that it is able to ensure that the elder voice will be heard and that elders will continue to receive the community and in-home services they need.
During this difficult time, the elders of Berkshire County have been well served by their elected representatives in both the House and the Senate. Over the past few months, Senator Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., and Representatives Daniel E. Bosley, Shaun P. Kelly, Peter P. Larkin, and William "Smitty" Pignatelli have heard elder concerns and have responded to them. They have shown a sincere interest in and knowledge of elder issues. We are fortunate to have such a committed and dedicated legislative team representing Berkshire County.
As the House and Senate begin to conference on the final budget they will present to the Governor, it appears that the Prescription Advantage Plan, which was eliminated by the Governor, will be restored and will be affordable to new enrollees; that much of the Council on Aging funding eliminated by the Governor will be restored; and that Elder Affairs may finally become the "gateway" for a coordinated one-stop service approach, which will combine a wide range of programs - from nursing home to home care - under the control of a single, consolidated Elder Affairs office.
On behalf of Elder Services, I would like to thank Senator Nuciforo, and Representatives Bosley, Kelly, Larkin, and Pignatelli for their support of elder needs and services, and to ask for their continued support in the days ahead.