AARP Releases its 1st State Blueprint to Improve the Quality of Life for 50+ in NY as NY’s Population Ages Rapidly

One-Stop Benefits Shop, Advance Public Disclosure Rx Price Hikes, Other

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2023 PRNewswire — New Yorkers need a single point of access to all the benefit programs they are eligible for. Big drug companies must publicly disclose any price increases they are planning to make. To support New Yorkers’ ability to age in their own homes, increase wages for homecare workers and increase funding for state in-home services.

These are just a few of the many suggestions in “NY State Blueprint for ActionAARP New York’s initial such roadmap includes policy priorities and steps that the State can take to improve the lives of the fastest-growing segments. New York Population: The 50-plus

New Yorkers over 50 are more than a third the state’s total population. This contributes to about $600 billion One year to the state economy Representing the driving force In New York Cultural life and civic engagement. They are the largest bloc of voters and the state’s top volunteer base.

“New York 50 and over have the skills, expertise, and commitment necessary to make our state’s bright future a reality,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “We must address their challenges, and this blueprint provides guidance for policymakers, legislators, and leaders.”

These are the top recommendations from the blueprint:

• By increasing funding, you can stand up for the residents of nursing homes. New York Federally-required independent oversight agency for nursing homes, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. AARP New York It is important to urge a $15 million Increase in the upcoming state budget to LTCOP for more professional staff and weekly visits at all facilities. Recent AARP New York study found over 96% Nursing homes New York City Nearly 60% of the state didn’t get a single visit during the first quarter 2022.

• Ensure those who qualify for benefits receive them by creating a multilingual universal benefits form for older New Yorkers for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Medicare Savings Program – which helps seniors pay their Medicare premiums and prescription drug costs – and similar programs. This would establish a universal entry point “one-stop shop” that uses “data matching” to screen for all benefits and automatically submits applications the applicant opts into – as well as driving significant federal aid New York Is now leaving the table

• The first step to that goal is to pass a bill from last year.S8362A-Parker)/A9099A-Cusick to request the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance coordinate with utilities on automated match for Energy Affordability Program Participants;

• Fight skyrocketing prescription drug costs by requiring public reporting of proposed price hikes in advance – as Governor Kathy Hochul Proposed in her 2023 State of the State Message – Safe and legal importation from FDA-approved prescription drugs CanadaLimiting New York Prescription drug prices are much lower than the Canadian price;

• Incentivize more New Yorkers who are working to get out of poverty by removing the EITC-age cap. This will allow the rapidly-growing number of New Yorkers 65 and over to qualify for the credit, which will increase credit from 30% to 40%.

• Support fair pay for home care workers by establishing a floor based on 150% of the regional minimum wage, and increase State funding for home- and community-based services for the elderly – both of which would support New Yorkers ageing in their own homes as the vast majority want;

• Confront the affordable housing crunch by encouraging creation of more properly regulated and safeguarded “mother-in-law apartments,” known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) – while urging municipalities to access $85 million Current year funding available to upgrade existing ADUs or build new ones;

• Increase home accessibility through funding increases for the Access to Home Program. This provides financial assistance to make housing units accessible to low- or moderate-income persons with disabilities. Also, for the Residential Emergency Services to offer (Home) Repairs to the Elderly program (RESTORE), which provides financial resources to assist homeowners aged 60 and over with health-related emergencies.

• Enact legislation to combat age discrimination bill that passed The State Senate last year Employers are prohibited from asking job candidates to reveal their age, date-of-birth or graduation unless they can show how this information is relevant to the job.

• Encourage more New Yorkers and others to save for retirement. Include “gig” workers in Secure Choice Savings Program. This program requires private sector employers that offer retirement savings options to employees who do not have a plan.

• Help New Yorkers fight unfair rate increases by offering “intervenor reimbursement” to support residential utility customers. This will give them an equal footing before regulators and utility companies as well as big business groups.

“NY State Blueprint” is available online. AARP New York Staff and volunteers will distribute hard copies of the book to leaders in the state, where they will discuss policy solutions.

Click to read “NY State Blueprint”

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_{About AARP}

_{AARP, the largest non-partisan nonprofit organization in the country, is dedicated to empowering older Americans to make their own decisions about how they age. AARP, which has nearly 38 millions members and a nationwide presence, strengthens communities and advocates what is most important to families: financial stability, personal satisfaction, and health security. AARP produces two of the most popular circulation publications in America: AARP The Magazine, and AARP Bulletin. Visit www.AARP.org to learn more. www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol You can follow @AARPenEspanol, @AARPenEspanol or @AARPadvocates and @AliadosAdelante via social media.}

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SOURCE: AARP New York