Feb. 5, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, (202) 508-1219

Statement from Larry Minnix, President & CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging on the Proposed FY2008 Budget

In his State of the Union address, President Bush discussed how "commitments of conscience" reflect fundamental and enduring American ideals. Yet, the fiscal 2008 budget proposal that President Bush submitted to Congress today calls for substantial cuts in programs that serve older Americans, a concept counter to the commitments of conscience on which this country is based. The proposed budget would freeze Medicare reimbursement for home health care and cut the inflation update that other health care providers, including nursing homes, would otherwise receive. Funding for Section 202 senior housing would be reduced from $726 million in 2006 to $575 million in 2008, undermining seniors' opportunities to have a place to call home. The budget would also cut Older Americans Act nutrition programs and eliminate preventive health services and Alzheimer’s disease demonstration grants.

We call on Congress to preserve and expand the programs that help ensure services people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. That's a commitment of conscience our country must make.

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.