Letter sent to Berkshire County Legislative Team, dated June 5, 2003

4000-0600**	Medicaid "senior care plans"	Senate	Senate reorg places this line item within EOEA accounts & earmarks $9.2 M for "Community Choices" plan. Also allows "care management" as an eligible Choices service.
9110-0100	EOEA, Office of the Secretary	Senate	Provides $1.8 M, which will be needed for EOEA to assume greater role in coordination of LTC services.
9110-1455	Prescription Advantage	Senate	Provides $96.3 M for drug program & puts it under EOEA, not DMA.
9110-1500**	Enhanced Programs	Senate	Senate keeps this item under EOEA. Does not belong under DMA: includes many non-Medicaid clients.
9110-1604	Supportive Senior Housing	House	House level funds this item to FY 2003, Senate cuts it by $85,000.
9110-1630**	Home care services	House	House provides level funding at FY 2003 level of $94.158 M; Senate is $93.76 M, $398,000 lower.
9110-1633**	Care Management & ASAP operations	House	House provides level funding at FY 2003 levels at $36.044 M; Senate cuts by $1.1 million to $34.94 M.
9110-1636**	Protective Services	Senate	Senate level funds at FY 2003 level of $10.045 M; House cuts by $441,000. Both versions keep Money Management, but Senate funds it.
9110-1660	Congregate Housing	House	House level funds item at FY 2003 levels, Senate cuts by $150,404.
9110-1900	Local Services: Elder Service Corps & Elder Lunch	House	House funds at $4.11 M, or $157,717 higher than Senate. Senate drops

_{_}House Outside Sections
Outside Section 13*	EOHHS powers & duties	Do not support	Support Senate Outside Section 17 instead.
Outside Section 36*	ASAP roles & responsibilities	Do not support	Support Senate Outside Section 70 instead.
Outside Section 435*	Transfers 2176 waiver to DMA	Do not support	Senate leaves waiver in OEA, but in Outside Section 17 gives EOHHS power to operate and administer Medicaid programs through the Office of Elder Affairs.
Senate Outside Sections
Outside Section 17	EOHHS powers	Support	Provides for an Office of Elder Affairs with a Secretary of the DEA. EOHHS secretary serves as administrative head of DEA.
Outside Section 70**	ASAP law	Support	DEA manages the home care program, and case management for Medicaid community based care; ASAPs to coordinate community services for Medicaid recipients, do pre-admission screening for institutional and community-based care; DEA responsible for overall management, admin and oversight related to screening and authorization of community LTC services.
Outside Section 323	EOHHS Single State Agency	Support	EOHHS Secretary is responsible for Medicaid programs, and acts through Sec. Of Elder Affairs as appropriate.
Outside Section 326	DEA powers	Support	Gives DEA power, within Ch. 118E , to make contracts, enter into agreements, etc. like DMA can.
Outside Section 598	EOHHS Study on Reorg	Support, but...	Calls for EOHHS to study the

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.

			Elder Service Corps. Both versions cut current $4.45 M level in FY 2003.
9110-9002	Councils on Aging	Senate	Senate level funds at $5.9 M to FY 2003 level; House cuts by $536,000.

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