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Health care issues a priority
As the Legislature prepares to debate the annual state budget, I am pleased to inform readers that the Senate will continue to champion health care issues that are critical to seniors, and indeed all residents of the Commonwealth. Additionally, I am co-sponsoring legislation with Senate President Travaglini that will secure health care coverage for half of Massachusetts' 530,000 uninsured residents within two years.
Recently, I sent a letter to the Legislature’s Elder Caucus requesting additional funds for several programs that provide key services to senior citizens. I am fully committed to finding opportunities for seniors to receive care in their own homes. In 2003, the Legislature funded Home Care Services at about $94 million. Last year, the number increased to $97 million. Unfortunately, the Governor has proposed cutting that program by $500,000 in his Fiscal Year 2006 budget. I have proposed increasing the funding for this program by about $7.5 million over last year’s figures.
Allowing seniors to stay in their own or a relative’s home is critical to enriching the daily lives of our relatives and friends. It is also fiscally prudent, as home care services are cheaper to provide than nursing home services. In fact, annual nursing home costs are about $40,000, while annual home care service costs about $2,850 per person.
I am also very interested in assisting the efforts of our Councils on Aging, which serve hundreds of thousands of elders each year. Councils on Aging (COA) provide a place where seniors can come together and interact with each other in a safe environment. They also provide valuable services, such as flu shots and tax preparation. Last year, the Commonwealth dedicated approximately $6.5 million to COAs.
"In fact, annual nursing home costs are about $40,000, while annual home care service costs about $2,850 per person."
I am working with my colleagues in the State House to increase that account, and I have called for an additional $1.3 million for our Councils on Aging.
As the Legislature continues to address these and other important programs, such as Meals on Wheels and Elder Protective Services, we are also working diligently to reduce the number of uninsured residents across the Commonwealth. The bill I am co-sponsoring would control the skyrocketing costs of health care, make investments to expand access, and institute reforms to improve the delivery and quality of medical care.
The Senate proposal allows private health insurers to offer a broader range of products and also allows individuals to deduct costs associated with health savings accounts from their taxes. It would increase Medicaid rates for hospitals, health centers and doctors, and expand Medicaid enrollment opportunities. Furthermore it would restore funding to prevention programs, such as cancer screening. By providing residents with meaningful access to health insurance and prevention programs, we not only control costs, but more importantly add to the quality of life.
While revenue projections for the state are tepid, I am cautiously optimistic that the Legislature will be in a position to fund the programs that have genuine impacts on so many people.