Help Protect Seniors in the MA State Budget

Keep seniors healthy, protected, and living in their homes with dignity

Next week, the Massachusetts Senate begins debate on the state budget for the coming year.

In it's current form, the state budget fails to fully fund some important programs for older adults in the Commonwealth, and we need your help to make sure key programs get the support they require.

Programs like Councils on Aging, Protective Services, Home and Community Based Care, and Homlessness Prevention are all at risk.

Tell your Senator to keep seniors healthy, protected, and living in their homes with dignity

With almost 1,200 amendments proposed to this year's budget, your Senator needs to hear from YOU, their constituent, as they make decisions. Please join AARP Massachusetts in supporting these important programs.

For full text of each amendment and the State Budget, visit the Massachusetts Legislature page. Formore information on these priorities, please Contact Us

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Dear [Decision Maker],

As your constituent, I'm writing to request your support for a budget that puts a priority on keeping seniors healthy, protected, and living in their homes with dignity. Programs such ;like Councils on Aging, Protective Services, and home care services and supports make all the difference to our seniors.

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As you consider the many proposals affecting the state budget, I ask that you SUPPORT the following amendments: 
Family Caregiver Tax Credit - Amendment #65
Creates the Family Caregiver Tax Credit, which would reimburse family caregivers for a portion of what they spend to care for their loved ones at home

Operation ABLE	- Amendment #170
Funds the Operation ABLE workforce and skills training program

Elder Behavioral Health	- Amendment #452
Funds an interagency agreement for Elder Behavioral Health services between EOEA and DMH

Elder Protective Services-Amendment #458	
Increases funding for the Elder Protective Services program

Healthy Incentives Program - Amendment #489
Increases funding for the successful Healthy Incentives Program, giving SNAP recipients more healthy food from local farmers

Senior Financial Literacy - Amendment #498	
Creates a Commission on Senior Financial Literacy

Alzheimer's Public Awareness Campaign	 - Amendment #547
Funding for an Alzheimer's Public Awareness campaign through the Department of Public Health

Elder Homelessness Prevention and Support - Amendment #553
Increases funding for Elder Homelessness prevention

Grants to Councils on Aging - Amendment #559	
Increases funding for Councils on Aging

LGBTQ Training - Amendment #561
Directs EOEA to develop training for service providers on the prevention of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Study Commission - Amendment #577
Creates a commission to study the impact of the opioid epidemic on the increased number of grandparents raising grandchildren in Massachusetts

Academic Detailing - Amendment #580
Funding for Academic Detailing program to communicate prescribing best practices to medical providers

Nursing Home Resident Protection (Bed Hold) - Amendment #643
Specifies the number of days for nursing home residents' leaves of absence

Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation - Amendment #992
Increases funding for Civil Legal Aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation

Establishment of Special Commission to Study Adult Guardianship  Amendment #1010	
Creates new commission to study Adult Guardianship needs of the Commonwealth

I also ask that you OPPOSE the following amendment
Amendment #638 - Initial Care Assessment Timeframe
Triples the time frame Senior Care Options (SCO) providers have before they are required to evaluate their new enrollees for complex care needs

Please support a budget that puts a priority on keeping seniors healthy, protected and living in their homes with dignity.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]