AARP members say legislature got medical expense deductions and senior funding right; Adult Guardianship needs to be addressed next

RALEIGH -- The long delay in getting a state legislative budget passed has paid off for family caregivers and those with high out-of-pocket medical expenses. In the budget released overnight, lawmakers restored Home and Community Care Block Grant funds that were cut two years ago. These funds help seniors and their family caregivers with services such as Meals on Wheels, in-home health aides, transportation to medical appointments and more. These services save the state money because they help keep seniors independent as they age while freeing up time and resources for family caregivers to remain in the workforce.

Lawmakers also fully reinstated a state medical expense tax deduction that was eliminated for the 2014 tax year. Many taxpayers with high medical expenses did not realize that the deduction had been eliminated until they completed their 2014 tax bills this past spring. The new legislative budget effectively restores the deduction for the 2015 tax year and provides necessary relief to North Carolina families and seniors who face significant medical expenses.

Throughout the budget process, AARP advocates from all over the state were instrumental in weekly rounds of calling, emailing, writing and visiting their elected leaders.

AARP State President Robert Palombo said, “Supporting the needs of seniors and family caregivers is sound public policy. These funding priorities are necessary and the Block Grant helps keep working caregivers on the job, and prevent many of our loved ones from going to nursing homes and other more expensive care settings. We are pleased that the state government recognizes the important needs of those who want to age in their own homes.”

He also explained that moving forward AARP will be promoting commonsense solutions to make caring for loved ones easier as they age. “Passing uniform Adult Guardianship laws in North Carolina that already exist in 42 other states can reduce the burden that caregivers face especially when providing care across state lines as well as reduce elder abuse and unnecessary court costs and attorney fees,” Palombo said. House Bill 817 would address this need and has already unanimously passed the State House. It has been stuck in the Senate during the delayed budget negotiations and AARP advocates will continue to encourage State Senators to move this legislation.