Legislative Updates



Massachusetts State Senate

President of the Senate, Therese Murray (D)
Minority Leader, Bruce E. Tarr (R)
http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Senate

Massachusetts State House of Representatives

Speaker of the House, Robert A. DeLeo (D)
Minority Leader, Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)
http://www.malegislature.gov/People/House



— 2011 —


FY13 Line Item Legislative Request

December 9, 2011 Letter to Health & Human Resources Secretary JudyAnn Bigby, MD

SHINE Continued Funding Letter

December 5, 2011 Letter from AARP Massachusetts, Mass Association of Older Americans,
Mass Councils on Aging, Mass Home Care, Mass Senior Action Council
to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Nursing Home Bed-Hold Policy Letter

December 9, 2011 Letter from MA Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (MANHR)
to the EOHHS Budget Hearing

Wang Center Boston Rally — Wednesday 9 November 2011


FY 12 Thank You Campaign — All Legislators Deserve our Gratitude

Legislative Workshop Planning Guide 2011




— 2010 —


Formula Grant set at $7/Elder — July 20, 2010


RALLY — 12 Noon, Monday 28 June 2010 - JFK Federal Building, Boston

To:   Elder Advocates
Fr:   Al Norman/MHC, Carolyn Villers/MSAC, Chet Jakubiak/MAOA and David P. Stevens/MCOA
We hope you will all consider joining Mass Home Care, Mass Senior Action, MAOA, MCOA and other sponsoring groups Monday at a Rally to press U.S. Senator Scott Brown to vote in favor of expanded federal Medicaid Assistance (FMAP) funding.
Our analysis of the FY 2011 State budget released last night shows that home care alone will lose $12.4 million if FMAP money does not reach Massachusetts.   That's cuts to home care, care management, protective/elder abuse, and other programs.
Councils on Aging will see a Formula Grant reduction of $0.25 -.30/elder.
It will also eliminate all funding for the nursing facility LTC Options program as well.
The cause and effect is clear.   So join the cause and be there on Monday at noon at the JFK Building.

FY 2011 Budget in Conference Committee

Legislative Update:   Retired State Employees Association

The Commission will make recommendations to Congress and the President by December 1, 2010.
The Commission will hold a public forum on June 30 and is also soliciting comments via e-mail.
FY11 Budget Conference Committee preferences
Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) Funding from Secretary Ann Hartstein/ EOEA
A Message from Secretary Bigby/ EOHHS

Governor Patrick proposes to keep Formula Grant
at $7/elder/YEAR in FY11:   House and Senate Concur


FY'11 BUDGET PROCESS



— 2009 —


MCOA Legislative Alert - 9c cuts to FY10 Budget

Legislative Alert — thanks to Al Norman/MHC for Update

Governor signs budget= FY2010 GAA=$7/elder

June 29, 2009: Governor Patrick signed the FY10 budget and vetoed two line items relevant to the Eldercare Network*.
Details can be found at http://www.mass.gov/bb/gaa/fy2010/app_10/dpt_10/held.htm.   The legislature can override any of his vetoes under two conditions:   The process must start in the House;   and both chambers must override the Governor by a two-thirds vote of its membership.

NISC Voice article on HR5484 filed by Barney Frank

New Tax Facts At A Glance — 2009 April 2

Joint Hearing of the Ways and Means Committees
Testimony Submitted on the FY10 Budget — 2009 March 20, 2009

Massachusetts Economic Recovery Plan — 2009 March/April

As you may know, the Governor is traveling around the Commonwealth to communicate how the Massachusetts Economic Recovery Plan will make a difference in various industries and regions.   While the Recovery website is the repository for more public information, we know that not everyone goes to the web for news and many people want to understand how the Recovery package will impact their communities and families.
To that end, we have developed a colorful, two-sided pamphlet that answers frequently asked questions about federal and state recovery spending, including nutrition and health care resources.
We think this might be a resource that could be on display at the 350 COAs, along with your other flyers on resources for visitors.   We are placing these in public libraries, career Centers and other community institutions.   Because of the huge number of COAs, it would be ideal if they had color printers and could print these directly, but we are happy to send some folded copies to offices if needed — please let us know what you think is best.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, includes numerous provisions that directly impact Massachusetts' older residents.   The Act provides much needed support to the states, many of which are dealing with unprecedented budget crises.
AARP Massachusetts has compiled a fact sheet that details provisions and aid distributions for Massachusetts from the ARRA.   This anticipated aid will directly impact the 50+ population here in the Commonwealth, and the programs and services they rely upon — especially during these uncertain economic times.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009


ARRA one-time payment to people receiving Soc Sec and SSI benefits
ARRA by-line Article available for local newsletters

AARP Massachusetts Fact Sheet on ARRA Legislation


Joint Hearing of the Ways and Means Committees
Testimony Submitted on the FY10 Budget — March 20, 2009

AARP PPI Report on HCBS

Request the new PPI Insight on the Issues by Robert L. Mollica (National Academy for State Health Policy), and Enid Kassner, Lina Walker, and Ari Houser of PPI entitled "Taking the Long View:   Investing in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services is Cost-Effective."
    Summary:
Is it cost-effective for states to provide Medicaid home and community-based services or do they create a "woodwork" effect that increases public spending?    Lack of good data to answer this question has been a major obstacle to advancing HCBS expansion.    This paper compiles and analyzes the best available data and concludes that HCBS is cost-effective.    Key findings include:
•   Over time, states that invest in HCBS programs experience slower Medicaid spending growth than states with low HCBS spending.   Although Medicaid spending generally increases during a transitional period, states that commit to comprehensive reforms can realize cost savings over time if they increase HCBS and, at the same time, decrease their reliance on nursing home use.
•   LTC services do not drive Medicaid spending growth.   Between FY 1997 and FY 2007, Medicaid LTC spending increased by 80 percent, while spending other than LTC increased by 102 percent.
•   Vermont and Washington are examples of states that have successfully controlled their rate of Medicaid spending while serving many more people in HCBS.
The current fiscal crisis is causing many states to make deep budget cuts and optional Medicaid services such as these are in jeopardy.    But cutting HCBS programs may have the undesirable effect of, ultimately, increasing overall Medicaid LTC spending.


— 2008 —


VOTE NO ON QUESTION ONE

Why Vote NO on the Income Tax Proposal?






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