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Budget Cuts & Councils on Aging:
In 2002, Massachusetts COAs provided services to 440,000 Massachusetts seniors. This figure represents about seven percent of the Commonwealth's population. The services I refer to are of the "Direct Service" type; Information and Referral, Social Day Care, Transportation, Care Management, Insurance Benefit Counseling, assistance with Income Tax filing, Health and Fitness programs, and so forth. All these programs and many more can be found in almost every community across the state, available to every senior without means testing, without regard to any consideration except that of simply being a senior in need of assistance. These are programs for all seniors.
In addition to being a senior community resource of incalculable value, a COA center has become a home away from home for many elders who would otherwise have no place to go, not just for service, but for human companionship. These are places where loneliness is banished and fellowship flourishes. These are sites where seniors can be active and involved, not isolated and alone.
While most Councils on Aging are funded by their municipalities, all COAs depend upon the money received thru EOEA in the form of Formula and Incentive Grants. Some smaller COAs do not receive any municipal funding and rely totally upon grant funding. These grants have assisted the COA to provide or support many of the programs I just mentioned. As a result of the budget crisis, almost all Incentive Grant funds have been eliminated and with it, many Outreach Programs.
Under the Governor's proposed budget, Formula Grants will be reduced by approximately 20% and combined with earlier cuts, it results in a proposed reduction in funding of 27%. When you add in the cuts inflicted upon COAs by the local municipalities, you will understand this budget crisis has the potential to be extremely destructive to our seniors local resources.
In addition to the cuts to COAs, there is the issue of the virtual elimination of the Prescription Advantage Program and the downsizing of Elder Affairs. The elimination of Prescription Advantage is the removal of a lifeline for 80,000 seniors. Most of us believe that the budget disaster is not a justification for eliminating or reducing a program that provides assistance in acquiring the medications that some people need to live. The downsizing of EOEA at a time when the senior population is about to grow as the baby boomers turn 60 makes no sense at all.
Essentially, we want this committee to seriously reconsider the reductions to COA funding from designated grants, the situation with regard to the Prescription Advantage Program and the devaluation of Elder Affairs. There has been a promise to keep core programs intact and not to cut "muscle and bone". Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening with these cuts.
Please reconsider restoring the funding to these programs. Call it an investment in the future.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian T. O'Grady, President
Western Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging, Inc.