Battle Looms Over Senior Services Cuts

Lisa F. Young

Times are tough for Alabamians living on fixed incomes, and battles to stop painful cuts in services may lie ahead.

AARP Alabama expects to fight Medicaid cuts in the legislative session that begins Feb. 2. More than 118,000 Alabamians 65 and older are on Medicaid, comprising 11 percent of the state’s Medicaid population.

The state office also aims to restore funding for the state Department of Senior Services, which suffered a 5 percent cut in the 2016 budget, reducing programs such as Meals on Wheels, help with prescription drug costs and other important supports for older Alabamians and their caregivers.

Want to help protect these services? Become a volunteer advocate, and let lawmakers know how you feel. Visit aarp.org/getinvolved for details.