AARP Alabama joins more than 200 organizations in calling for solution to state budget crisis

William Herndon

With the Alabama Legislature going into a second special session today, AARP Alabama has joined more than 200 organizations, health care providers, and faith-based groups and churches across our state in urging the Legislature to find an equitable solution to the General Fund budget deficit. AARP Alabama has been particularly focused on fighting potential cuts to services that are critically important to older Alabamians and their families.

"Alabama’s seniors and their families are depending on our leaders to solve this budget crisis," AARP Alabama interim state director Candace Williams said. "Vital services such as meals on wheels, home health aides, prescription assistance and Medicaid must be fully funded to preserve the lives and safety of our most vulnerable citizens."

The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is among the agencies that could be facing cuts. This agency provides home- and community-based services, such as meals and home health assistance. These vital services help vulnerable older Alabamians remain in their homes - where they want to be - at a substantial savings to the state compared to institutional care facilities. The ADSS estimates that these services to seniors in their homes cost approximately $800 per month, compared to more than $5,000 per month for institutional care. If cuts are made to home- and community-based services, many of these seniors will be forced into costly nursing homes, further straining Alabama's Medicaid budget.

Medicaid is also on the list of potential cuts. Any cuts to Medicaid would put Alabama's entire health care structure at risk. Medicaid in Alabama pays for medical and long-term care services for low-income pregnant women, children, certain people on Medicare, individuals with disabilities, and nursing home residents. These individuals must meet certain income and other requirements. Cuts to Medicaid may cause hospitals to close, particularly in rural areas and small towns, cause doctors and other health care providers to close their practices, and eliminate funding for long-term care services -- leaving thousands across our state with a very uncertain future.

We are asking all AARP Alabama members to contact their legislators as this special session begins and tell them to find an equitable solution to this budget crisis - one that does NOT include cuts to services that older Alabamians and others count on.

Call the AARP Legislative Hotline and connect to your representatives today: 1-844-259-9356.