As the Deficit Grows, Services for Older Residents Shrink

Sandel DeMastus, a 64-year-old recovering from cancer, had been receiving 125 hours of monthly home care through Medicaid. She recently received notice that her home care hours would be cut to 80, and then to 67.

The Renton woman is also worried she'll have to start paying a copayment on her prescription drugs. DeMastus is concerned her $956 monthly income from Social Security disability won't cover her rising expenses.

Older Washingtonians, already disproportionately hit by state budget cuts over the past 18 months, will likely see further declines in services and programs as the state struggles to address a chronic budget gap estimated at $5.7 billion.

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

"It's just not fair," DeMastus said. "Why are you taking it out on the disabled and elderly? It's going to cost more in the long run."

Gov. Chris Gregoire, D, in September ordered an across-the-board 6.3 percent spending cut to balance the budget deficit. Among the cuts under way are reductions in dental, vision, hearing and hospice care affecting 177,000 Medicaid patients, as well as long-term care and home care programs. Now, heeding the overwhelming decision of voters, legislators may be forced to make even more drastic cuts.

AARP Washington fought two ballot measures that were approved by voters in November. Initiative 1107 repealed a state tax on soda, bottled water, gum and candy, which will result in $350 million in lost revenue over five years, and Initiative 1053 requires any change to the state's tax code to receive a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature.

AARP officials believe the long-term effects of those measures — and the failure of a state income tax initiative on high earners — could cause the deficit to balloon to $6 billion.

"It just makes the problem so much worse, which means more cuts," said Ingrid McDonald, AARP Washington's advocacy director.