LeadingAge NY and Members Testify at Upstate SSI Hearing
LeadingAge NY and other stakeholders testified at the New York State Assembly Health, Social Services, and Aging Committees' second joint public hearing on Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) in Syracuse on Sept. 28th. The hearings were largely focused on the inadequacy of the current State Supplement Program (SSP), which is the state portion of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit. An SSI increase has long been one of LeadingAge NY's key advocacy priorities. At just $40.60 per day, facilities are finding it difficult to afford to serve low income seniors. During the testimony, the Assemblymembers heard about the heartbreaking impact of closure on seniors, their families, and staff. They also heard about the difficult decisions that operators are having to make in the face of rising health insurance costs and wage increases. The following LeadingAge NY members also provided testimony to convey the critical need for increased support of ACFs that serve New York’s poorest seniors: Karen Murray, Executive Director, Bishop’s Commons; Mike Keenan, President and CEO, Good Shepherd Communities; Rick Mills, Executive Director of Housing, Loretto; and Matthew Albright, CEO, Family Service Communities. LeadingAge NY's written testimony can be accessed here.
In addition, LeadingAge NY and other stakeholders testified at the New York City hearing on Sept. 19th. We appreciate the efforts of all the LeadingAge NY members who testified. This advocacy is critical to ensuring that the ACF level of care remains available to low income, frail elderly New Yorkers when they need it. Other members can participate in this advocacy effort by clicking here.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828