Assemblyman touts new state budget

Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY)

April 13-- Apr. 13--MALONE -- Protecting health care, securing programs and providing tax relief are at the top of the list of improvements the new state budget offers that Assemblyman Billy Jones is celebrating.

Jones (D-Chateaugay) met with Greg Olsen, acting director for the state's Office for the Aging, and Rebecca Preve, director of the Franklin County Office for the Aging, at an event Thursday at the Franklin County Courthouse to discuss those offerings.

"With this year's state budget, we worked to ensure our seniors receive the best possible services and resources in the communities they helped build," Jones said.

"From protecting access to health care to helping more folks stay connected in the digital world, North Country seniors can rest assured that I'll always be in their corner."

SENIOR PLANET FUNDS

The budget includes a total of $65.1 million for Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly, of which $15 million will be designated to address the unmet needs of local offices of the aging, providing them with critical funding to help keep seniors in their own homes and out of nursing facilities, a news release from Jones said.

This funding will help to provide non-medical, in-home services such as personal care and housekeeping.

Also, the budget provides funding for the Senior Planet program offered at both Champlain Centre mall in Plattsburgh and the Malone Adult Center.

For that purpose, Jones secured $200,000 in support of the Older American Technology Services, which provides training to seniors in the latest in computer technology to keep them engaged and connected to both their families and all the vital information and commerce the web offers.

"The strong advocacy of Assemblyman Jones was instrumental in securing the landmark investment in aging services, to specifically target unmet needs in our local community," Preve said.

"Additionally, the continued investment in the Older Adults Technology Solutions program allows older residents to benefit from training and technical assistance in the North County."

SPOUSAL REFUSAL

To ensure seniors have access to critical health care services, lawmakers restored $550 million in health care cuts from the executive proposal, which includes $222 million to return the 2 percent rate increase for hospitals and the 1.5 percent rate increase for nursing homes.

The budget also provides $5.9 million to preserve the right of spousal refusal, which allows a spouse to obtain care under the Medicaid program without impoverishing the other spouse.

Jones said funding for this program will help keep families together and allow aging New Yorkers to stay in their homes and be independent.

The budget also restores $31 million in pharmacy reductions to protect access to affordable health care and prescription coverage, he said.

Further, the assemblyman said, the budget enables fair drug pricing by prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers from engaging in spread pricing and by adding additional transparency measures.

TAX RELIEF

The budget also allows more seniors to stay in their communities by increasing the maximum amount the state can provide a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community from $200,000 to $300,000.

Recognizing that many seniors live on a fixed income, lawmakers continued essential tax relief for seniors, Jones said.

It makes the 2 percent property-tax cap permanent, he said, which ensures that seniors will be able to continue to afford their homes and the land they live on. It also protects the STAR program, which provides vital tax relief to homeowners.

"With this state budget, we made seniors a priority," Jones said.

"From delivering tax relief, to protecting healthcare and important community programs, we continue to give back to those who have spent their lives improving our community."

Email Joe LoTemplio:

[email protected]

Twitter: @jlotemplio

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