For Immediate Release: January 22, 2020
Questions: Katelyn Andrews, Director of Public Policy, kandrews@liveon-ny.org

There are small victories to be encouraged by in Governor Cuomo’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget release. Most notably, LiveOn NY is pleased with the positive steps forward associated with $798,000 in new funds for the Wellness-in-Nutrition program; continued funding for Affordable Senior Housing capital; continued funding of $15 million to address unmet needs for seniors across the state; and $868,000 in new funds for in-home and community services for older adults. With that said, we are dismayed by the continued neglect of cost of living adjustments (COLA) for the workforce contracted through the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA); by disregarding these needed wage increases, the state continues to put the human services workforce at financial risk as they age. Further, we are disheartened by the continued stagnation of the NYSOFA budget as a whole. While the proposal’s overall budget has increased by 1.9%, funds for older New Yorkers decreased by .8%, despite the fact that seniors are the fastest growing demographic in our state. Progress within our state must be enjoyed equitably across the lifespan and at LiveOn NY we know that there’s more that can and should be done to make this a reality. As budget negotiations continue, we implore the state to do more for older New Yorkers and the cost-effective system of services that serves them, while ensuring older adults are held harmless from feeling the effects of any changes to Medicaid.