Legislative Bulletin: February Friday is back - contact your lawmakers, today!
Advocacy Alert: New letter for February Friday posted online!
Today is our second February Friday letter writing campaign day! A new letter regarding nursing homes has been posted to our Legislative Action Center, and is ready to send to your lawmakers! Please take five minutes out of your day today and urge your colleagues and those you serve to join in on this crucial advocacy initiative.
- Save New York’s Nursing Homes & Protect our Seniors! Urge your lawmakers to protect nursing home providers, caregivers and those receiving services!
- Reject Medicaid Cuts & Save our Seniors! Urge your lawmakers to oppose additional budget cuts and unfunded mandates in this year’s budget.
- Support Funding for Affordable Housing and Support Services for Seniors! Educate your lawmakers about the need for additional affordable senior housing and LeadingAge New York’s New York State Supportive Senior Housing Services Program.
In addition to this letter writing campaign, the Legislature is on recess until Wed., Feb. 27 – this is a perfect opportunity to connect with your representatives while they are back in their districts. If you need assistance with scheduling meetings with your lawmakers or would like more information on advocacy opportunities, please contact Alyssa Lovelace or Ami Schnauber at 518-867-8383.
Update: Federal auditors coming to NYS to review Medicaid spending
Following the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s recent report on New York’s Medicaid system, a congressional panel decided yesterday to move forward and allow federal auditors to examine the state’s Medicaid spending. The only member of the panel who did vote to adopt the report and its findings was NYS Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who said that “the report focuses only on one state as if it were the only state where there is a problem." Since the initial report was released last week, it was edited to include Gov. Cuomo’s initiatives to reform Medicaid, and address that the system was a problem prior to Gov. Cuomo being elected to office. Read more about the report and the panel’s vote, here.
The report faults New York for increased federal taxes due to the state’s Medicaid expenditures, and calls for the state to repay the federal government after the report found that NYS overbilled the federal government $15 billion on its developmentally disabled patient facilities. We have since learned that $800 million of this money is likely to be included as cuts in this year’s Medicaid budget and outlined in the 30-day amendments that are to be released on Feb. 21.
SAGE Commission issues report
The Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission released its final report earlier this week that would “modernize” and “rightsize” the state’s government. According to the governor’s press release, “the final report identified initiatives that represent the most comprehensive reorganization of State government since those undertaken by Governor Al Smith in the 1920s.” The initiatives outlined in the final report are expected to save over $1.6 billion to improve service to New Yorkers and businesses, and increase transparency and accountability. The report is broken down by three parts: Reorganizing State Government; Reducing Costs and Improving Service; and Building a Culture of Performance and Accountability. Click here to read the report.
LeadingAge New York attends NYSCA/CSCS Advocacy Day!
LeadingAge New York staff attended the NYS Coalition for the Aging (NYSCA) & Council for Senior Centers & Services of New York City (CSCS) Advocacy Day, earlier this week. Before meeting with lawmakers, attendees were addressed by Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Acting Director of the NYS Office for the Aging, Greg Olsen. An update on federal politics was given and included information about sequestration and a timeline of federal happening – of note is the expiration of the Older Americans Act. CSCS is joining LeadingAge New York as an Associate Member, and is recognized as the lead NYC-based organization representing senior services and aging issues.
Are you ready to golf?
The LeadingAge New York Annual PAC Golf Tournament will be held on Mon., May 20 at Saratoga Spa Golf Course.
This year’s event will kick-off at 11:45 a.m. for the 18-hole competition and 1 p.m. for the nine-hole competition and pro-golf clinic! We’ll end the day with a cocktail reception, prizes and giveaways!
Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available online and by contacting Alyssa Lovelace at 518-867-8844.