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March 30, 2006
As sent to Representatives Bosley, Pignatelli, Guyer and Speranzo:
Dear Representative:
Last week the state Senate unanimously approved the Equal Choice bill (S. 2273), and sent it to the House of Representatives for your consideration.
We at Elder Services ask your support for the Equal Choice bill, which gives eligible persons the choice of where they will be cared for if and when they need long-term care. The bill, as sent to the House, would make the long-term care benefit available to eligible persons whether they are seeking admission to a long-term care facility or are instead seeking to receive long-term care services in their own home. The Equal Choice bill also looks to ease the income criteria for persons clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more people would be eligible, and therefore, able to choose where they will receive their long-term care services. The bill does not seek an appropriation of state funding because it is expected that it will cost less to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this Medicaid program will cost. Attached please find a copy of S. 2273, the "Equal Choice" bill, together with a copy of a letter by Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, as sent to Representative Robert DeLeo, Chairman of House Ways and Means, in support of the Equal Choice bill.
In regards to the state budget for fiscal year 2007, we hope that the House will increase funding for home and community-based services that are vital to seniors so that more seniors in need can be served. Some of the services in need of additional funding include:
1. Home Care programs:
Home Care Purchased Services (9110-1630) and Care Management and Operations (9110-1633)
Choices (4000-0600)
ECOP (Enhanced Community Options Program) (9110-1500) ;
2. Protective Services (9110-1636) and Geriatric Mental Health Services (9110-1640);
3. Councils on Aging (9110-9002);
4. Nutrition and Meals on Wheels (Elder Lunch program- 9110-1900); and
5. Supportive Housing (9110-1604).
The FY 2007 State Budget requests, as prepared by Mass Home Care, are included in their entirety as part of this packet. I believe a previous version of this document was sent to you via e-mail on February 13.
Thank you for your consideration, and for all you do for Berkshire County’s senior citizens.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Dean
Executive Director
enclosures: Mass Home Care FY 2007 Budget Request
Equal Choice Bill S.2273
3/28/06 Letter to Chairman Robert DeLeo as sent by Al Norman
March 30, 2006
Representative Smitty Pignatelli
State House Room 448
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Smitty,
Last week the state Senate unanimously approved the Equal Choice bill (S. 2273), and sent it to the House of Representatives for your consideration.
We at Elder Services ask your support for the Equal Choice bill, which gives eligible persons the choice of where they will be cared for if and when they need long-term care. The bill, as sent to the House, would make the long-term care benefit available to eligible persons whether they are seeking admission to a long-term care facility or are instead seeking to receive long-term care services in their own home. The Equal Choice bill also looks to ease the income criteria for persons clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more people would be eligible, and therefore, able to choose where they will receive their long-term care services. The bill does not seek an appropriation of state funding because it is expected that it will cost less to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this Medicaid program will cost. Attached please find a copy of S. 2273, the "Equal Choice" bill, together with a copy of a letter by Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, as sent to Representative Robert DeLeo, Chairman of House Ways and Means, in support of the Equal Choice bill.
In regards to the state budget for fiscal year 2007, we hope that the House will increase funding for home and community-based services that are vital to seniors so that more seniors in need can be served. Some of the services in need of additional funding include:
1. Home Care programs:
Home Care Purchased Services (9110-1630) and Care Management and Operations (9110-1633)
Choices (4000-0600)
ECOP (Enhanced Community Options Program) (9110-1500) ;
2. Protective Services (9110-1636) and Geriatric Mental Health Services (9110-1640);
3. Councils on Aging (9110-9002);
4. Nutrition and Meals on Wheels (Elder Lunch program- 9110-1900); and
5. Supportive Housing (9110-1604).
The FY 2007 State Budget requests, as prepared by Mass Home Care, are included in their entirety as part of this packet. I believe a previous version of this document was sent to you via e-mail on February 13.
Thank you for your consideration, and for all you do for Berkshire County’s senior citizens.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Dean
Executive Director
enclosures: Mass Home Care FY 2007 Budget Request
Equal Choice Bill S.2273
3/28/06 Letter to Chairman Robert DeLeo as sent by Al Norman
March 30, 2006
Representative Denis Guyer
State House Room 134
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Denis,
Last week the state Senate unanimously approved the Equal Choice bill (S. 2273), and sent it to the House of Representatives for your consideration.
We at Elder Services ask your support for the Equal Choice bill, which gives eligible persons the choice of where they will be cared for if and when they need long-term care. The bill, as sent to the House, would make the long-term care benefit available to eligible persons whether they are seeking admission to a long-term care facility or are instead seeking to receive long-term care services in their own home. The Equal Choice bill also looks to ease the income criteria for persons clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more people would be eligible, and therefore, able to choose where they will receive their long-term care services. The bill does not seek an appropriation of state funding because it is expected that it will cost less to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this Medicaid program will cost. Attached please find a copy of S. 2273, the "Equal Choice" bill, together with a copy of a letter by Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, as sent to Representative Robert DeLeo, Chairman of House Ways and Means, in support of the Equal Choice bill.
In regards to the state budget for fiscal year 2007, we hope that the House will increase funding for home and community-based services that are vital to seniors so that more seniors in need can be served. Some of the services in need of additional funding include:
1. Home Care programs:
Home Care Purchased Services (9110-1630) and Care Management and Operations (9110-1633)
Choices (4000-0600)
ECOP (Enhanced Community Options Program) (9110-1500) ;
2. Protective Services (9110-1636) and Geriatric Mental Health Services (9110-1640);
3. Councils on Aging (9110-9002);
4. Nutrition and Meals on Wheels (Elder Lunch program- 9110-1900); and
5. Supportive Housing (9110-1604).
The FY 2007 State Budget requests, as prepared by Mass Home Care, are included in their entirety as part of this packet. I believe a previous version of this document was sent to you via e-mail on February 13.
Thank you for your consideration, and for all you do for Berkshire County’s senior citizens.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Dean
Executive Director
enclosures: Mass Home Care FY 2007 Budget Request
Equal Choice Bill S.2273
3/28/06 Letter to Chairman Robert DeLeo as sent by Al Norman
March 30, 2006
Representative Christopher Speranzo
State House Room 443
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Chris,
Last week the state Senate unanimously approved the Equal Choice bill (S. 2273), and sent it to the House of Representatives for your consideration.
We at Elder Services ask your support for the Equal Choice bill, which gives eligible persons the choice of where they will be cared for if and when they need long-term care. The bill, as sent to the House, would make the long-term care benefit available to eligible persons whether they are seeking admission to a long-term care facility or are instead seeking to receive long-term care services in their own home. The Equal Choice bill also looks to ease the income criteria for persons clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit so that more people would be eligible, and therefore, able to choose where they will receive their long-term care services. The bill does not seek an appropriation of state funding because it is expected that it will cost less to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this Medicaid program will cost. Attached please find a copy of S. 2273, the "Equal Choice" bill, together with a copy of a letter by Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, as sent to Representative Robert DeLeo, Chairman of House Ways and Means, in support of the Equal Choice bill.
In regards to the state budget for fiscal year 2007, we hope that the House will increase funding for home and community-based services that are vital to seniors so that more seniors in need can be served. Some of the services in need of additional funding include:
1. Home Care programs:
Home Care Purchased Services (9110-1630) and Care Management and Operations (9110-1633)
Choices (4000-0600)
ECOP (Enhanced Community Options Program) (9110-1500) ;
2. Protective Services (9110-1636) and Geriatric Mental Health Services (9110-1640);
3. Councils on Aging (9110-9002);
4. Nutrition and Meals on Wheels (Elder Lunch program- 9110-1900); and
5. Supportive Housing (9110-1604).
The FY 2007 State Budget requests, as prepared by Mass Home Care, are included in their entirety as part of this packet. I believe a previous version of this document was sent to you via e-mail on February 13.
Thank you for your consideration, and for all you do for Berkshire County’s senior citizens.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Dean
Executive Director
enclosures: Mass Home Care FY 2007 Budget Request
Equal Choice Bill S.2273
3/28/06 Letter to Chairman Robert DeLeo as sent by Al Norman