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Pennsylvania State Senate
08/14/2024 03:21 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=43040
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: August 12, 2024 03:25 PM
From: Senator Lisa M. Boscola
To: All Senate members
Subject: Fix Funding Oversight for Vital Senior Programs
 
Soon I will introduce legislation to address an apparent oversight in needed funding for PENNCARE services, under the Department of Aging. These important services, provided by our Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) for Pennsylvanians aged 60 and older, include home-delivered meals, bathing assistance, transportation, and community centers—lifelines for our senior citizens.
 
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging had requested a 5% increase ($15.5 million) in the PENNCARE line item to sustain these vital services. This increase would have supported programs like the Options Program and enabled us to fulfill our most important responsibility: investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of our elderly residents.
 
Without this increase, the budget effectively reduces funding at a time when our AAAs are facing challenges, including an increased demand for services, rising inflation, and the expiration of federal ARPA funds. In my district, for example, the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging is grappling with a budget deficit of approximately $690,000 because of this lack of needed funding.
 
These financial shortfalls mean that services may now face waiting lists, reductions, or even eliminations. We are confronting the real possibility of cutbacks or closures at community centers, fewer meals for those in need, limited transportation options, and reduced availability of home health aides to assist our growing 60+ population.
 
This legislation will seek to transfer the necessary dollars from the Lottery Fund to the PENNCARE line item within the Department of Aging, a move that is crucial to prevent the reduction of these vital services.
 
I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort, where together we can ensure that our seniors receive the care and support they need and deserve.