Where’s the Money?

Source: AARP.org

The Massachusetts political climate always changes, but at the State House, one constant remains—the importance of the annual budget.

As the commonwealth’s leaders prepare the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 – which takes effect on July 1, 2009 – they face an economy in crisis.  Like families across the state, legislators are grappling with how to make fiscal ends meet, debating ways to both cut costs and increase revenue.

Protect Vulnerable Residents

Especially during this tough fiscal time, AARP urges legislators to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents by maintaining critical programs and services.  Specifically, AARP calls on legislators to restore full funding to Prescription Advantage and Home Care.  Both programs received significant cuts as part of budget reducing measures implemented in Fiscal Year 2009, and the vulnerable are confronting increased hardship.

1.  Restore $11 million to Prescription Advantage

Money will reinstate initial prescription co-payment assistance for about 45,000 enrollees who now face crippling cost increases for often life-saving medication.

2. Restore $7 million to Home Care

Eliminate waiting lists for services including:
• Adult Day Care
• Personal Care
• Home Delivered Meals
• Transportation

3. Keep funding and management of Prescription Advantage and Home Care under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

“Developing the state budget is a big job with huge consequences for all Massachusetts residents,” says Deborah Banda, AARP Massachusetts state director.  “This year, billions of dollars are at stake along with the many programs and services – from health care to education to transportation – that the money funds.”

How the State Budget Becomes Law
 
The state fiscal year in Massachusetts runs from July 1 – June 30th.  Each year the state budget is prepared and approved.  In addition, supplemental budgets are prepared during the year to deal with excess revenue or extenuating circumstances that require additional revenue.  Following is a basic run-down of the budget process:
• Department requests (Fall)
• Administration & Finance recommendations (late Fall)
• Governor’s Budget (mid-January)
• House Ways and Means Committee recommendations (March/April)
• House debates and votes on their Final budget recommendations (April)
• Senate Ways and Means Committee recommendations (May)
• Senate debates and votes on their Final budget recommendations (May/June)
• House/Senate Conference Committee established to work out differences in both Final budgets (June)
• House votes on Conference Committee budget
• Senate votes on Conference Committee budget
• Final budget is sent to Governor for approval, amendment or veto (June)
• Governor issues approvals, amendments or vetoes; he has 10 days (by July 1)
• Final budget in place, without items that were amended or vetoed
• House considers amendments vetoes (after July and until end of formal sessions)
• Senate considers items that the House has overridden (after July and until end of formal sessions)
• If both branches override Governor’s veto, the original language stands
• Final budget in place

Make Your Voice Heard

Make your voice heard in the state legislative debate!  Join the AARP Massachusetts Grassroots Network to stay up to date on important issues, including health care, prescription drugs, and long-term services and support.  Send us an email  for more information.

Also, check Our Daily Blog and Breaking News for updates as they happen!

Related Articles:

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
Economic Stimulus helps 50+ in Bay State
Attention Prescription Advantage Enrollees

Other Resources:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
AARP Massachusetts Community Page