2013 -- S 0678

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LC01955

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING RESTORATION OF SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

GRANTS FUNDING

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Picard, Felag, Walaska, and Miller

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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     WHEREAS, The number of Rhode Islanders sixty-five years of age and older is expected

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to grow from 152,000 in 2010, to a projected 198,000 in 2020, and to 246,500 by the year 2030;

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and

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     WHEREAS, According to the 2010 United States Census, Rhode Island has the highest

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percent of persons age eighty-five years and older, and as persons age they have greater

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dependency needs and an increased need for long-term care services and support; and

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     WHEREAS, Community-based support services and programs such as senior centers,

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Meals on Wheels, and respite services play important roles in helping older persons to live

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independently, in supporting caregivers, and in preventing or postponing institutionalization,

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thereby enabling seniors to “age in the community” and reduce Medicaid costs for long-term care

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facilities; and

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     WHEREAS, The State has set goals to increase the percent of funds spent on home and

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community-based services to fifty percent for total long-term care spending and to divert persons

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from institutions and to transition persons out of institutions when appropriate; and

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     WHEREAS, Since Fiscal Year 2007-2008, state appropriations for senior community

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services grants that fund services for the elderly, including senior centers, respite care and Meals

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on Wheels, have been reduced by a total of $1,866,000, and there are waiting lists for Meals on

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Wheels and respite care, as well as reduced service levels at many senior centers; now, therefore

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be it

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     RESOLVED, That there is appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise

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appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2013-2014, the sum of $2,863,000 for senior community service

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grants administered through the Division of Elderly Affairs of the Department of Human Services

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to provide funds for Meals on Wheels, respite services, senior centers, and other senior

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community support programs, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw

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his or her orders upon the General Treasurer for payment of said sum, or upon receipt by him or

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her of properly authenticated vouchers.

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LC01955

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