-- Programs and Services -- Contact InformationHomepage
From the Director
State budget update...
By Robert P. Dean
Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed budget for state fiscal year 2008, which begins July 1, 2007, has been submitted to the Massachusetts Legislature for review and recommendation.
The Governor’s proposed budget is $26.7 billion, which represents a 4% increase from last year, and includes increased funding for local aid, public health, and kindergarten expansion. In regards to in-home and community-based services for seniors, there is increased funding for MassHealth programs such as Choices and the Personal Care Attendant Program, which serve low income seniors and individuals with disabilities as defined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Unfortunately, the Governor’s proposed budget does not provide a meaningful funding increase for state programs providing in-home and community-based services for seniors whose incomes are above the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In Berkshire County two such programs, State Home Care and Enhanced Community Options, are serving more than 1,000 lower income seniors a month. These two programs help seniors to continue to live in their own homes with dignity and independence by providing assistance with such things as bathing, getting to and from the bathroom, getting dressed and ready for the day, and homemaking. The State Home Care and Enhanced Community Options Programs need increased funding to keep up with the growing need for the services they provide.
Without increased funding, lower income seniors may once again be caught in the middle and may “fall through the cracks” between the MassHealth and state programs. These seniors have incomes above the Federal Poverty Guidelines criteria for the MassHealth programs that have received additional funding; however, there may be little or no room for them in the state programs for which they are financially eligible, because of a lack of additional funding in those programs. Other vital senior services, which need additional funding to keep up with senior needs, include the Councils on Aging, Protective Services, Mental Health Services, and the Nutrition/Meals on Wheels Program. Additional funding for these services will help seniors to continue to live in their own homes and communities — which is where they want to be.
In regards to the budget process, the House is expected to complete its budget recommendations sometime in April, at which point the budget will go to the Senate for its review and budget recommendations. It is hoped that the House and Senate will increase funding for vital in-home and community based services, so that no seniors will “fall through the cracks.” Once the Senate completes its recommendations, a conference committee comprised of three House and three Senate members will meet to reconcile any differences between the House and Senate versions. After the House and Senate approve the revised budget, it will return to the Governor to review and approve the recommendations, or to veto selected line items, if he so chooses. The House and Senate may override any veto by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. The budget process is expected to be completed on time, so that the fiscal year 2008 budget will be in place by July 1, 2007.
On an unrelated note, the week of April 15 through April 21, is National Volunteer Week. Webster’s Dictionary defines a volunteer as “one who offers to enter into any service of one’s own free will.” During the past year, more than 400 individuals have volunteered to serve Berkshire County seniors through Elder Services. Volunteers truly are a priceless treasure. Please join Elder Services in recognizing the valuable contribution each volunteer makes to the Berkshire community. We would like to thank each and every one of you. We hope you know that we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services
Berkshire County State Legislators
• Rep. Daniel Bosley (1st District): 617-722-2370 & 413-663-7486
rep.danielbosley@hou.state.ma.us
• Rep. Denis Guyer (2nd District) 617-722-2400 & 413-684-0033
rep.denisguyer@hou.state.ma.us
• Rep. Christopher Speranzo (3rd District) 617-722-2080 & 413-447-7225
rep. christophersperanzo@hou.state.ma.us
• Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (4th District) 617-722-2879 & 413-243-5534
rep.smittypignatelli@hou.state.ma.us
• Senator Benjamin Downing, 617-722-1625 & 442-4008
benjamin.downing@state.ma.us