Thursday, June 28, 2018

Protecting programs that improve the lives of seniors

Federal budget debates remain contentious despite nearly $5 trillion in deficit reduction being achieved in recent years. Over three-fourths of this has occurred through spending cuts, particularly in discretionary programs such as those of the Older Americans Act, Falls Prevention, Housing Counseling, Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Senior Corps, and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).

Protecting vulnerable seniors

Reining in the federal budget is important to our nation’s economic future and requires shared sacrifice in spending reductions and increased revenues.
But program cuts should not be made at the expense of economically disadvantaged seniors and other vulnerable Americans. Due to the recent economic downturn, more seniors than ever need assistance and support to make ends meet.
Funding for seniors programs, including the OAA, is a cost-effective investment. Empowering seniors to remain healthy and economically secure in their own homes and communities reduces spending on more costly entitlement programs.
Every $1 provided to the aging services network also is leveraged by nearly $3 in non-federal support.
Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that would increase out-of-pocket costs are something vulnerable seniors simply cannot afford.

FY19 proposals

FY18 proposals

Take action

  • Share your story about how looming cuts and/or lack of investments will affect seniors in your community.

Background

Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO)
This coalition of 72 national aging organizations continues to weigh in on several aspects of the budget debate with issue briefs, fact sheets and correspondence to Congressional and Administration leadership.
Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP)
CBPP provides information about the budget process, as well as analyses of proposals, with a focus on the impacts to programs and services for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC)
The BPC actively promotes bipartisan policymaking, and its Economic Policy Project (EPP) focuses on federal debt, deficits, and budgeting.
Effects of the Sequester
https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/federal-budget/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06262018_NCOAWeek

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