Supplemental Budget Increases Home Care Services for Elders by $3.78 Million

(October 4, 2016) – Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce that a supplemental budget passed by the legislature last week included $3.78 million for home care services for elders and increased the increases the amount of the money that comes from the federal Community First (CF) Trust Fund.  Earlier this summer, Rep. Stanley worked tirelessly to lobby House leadership to support preventing elderly waiting lists for state home care by amending the supplemental budget to include available CF Trust Fund dollars in the basic home care account.

“This is great news for seniors on wait lists in need of home care,” said Rep. Stanley. “Home care is important as it allows seniors and those with disabilities to receive care at home, and live independently in their homes and communities.”

In his letter to House leaders which was signed by 14 of his colleagues, Rep. Stanley requested support for an amendment adding $3 million in federal CF Trust Funds to the home care purchased services account to prevent any waiting lists in the home care account.  He also supported language that reduces the percentage of state funds needed in this line item from 98.5% to 95.7% and increases the federal percentage from 1.5% in the FY17 conference committee report to 4.3%.  In this scenario, federal funding is used to raise the basic home care account to avoid waiting lists at no new cost to the state.