2025 Budget Advocacy
Pennsylvania's Older Adults Need Your Help!
Our older neighbors are a big part of our communities. In Pennsylvania, one out of every four people is 60 years old or older. Many older adults help pay taxes and create jobs, but there are some who need our help. Governor Shapiro announced $20 million to help services that keep older people out of hospitals and nursing homes. We sincerely appreciate this first step, however we need more. Join us in asking for an extra $105 million to help these services support older people in their communities.
Here's what you can do:
- Write a letter: Tell your lawmaker and the Governor why it's important to help older adults.
- Call your lawmaker: Talk to them directly about the issue.
- Meet with your lawmaker: Explain your concerns in person.
- Write to your local newspaper: Share your opinion with others in your community.
- Attend public government meetings: Share your concerns with your local officials.
What to say (Talking Points):
- Support a $105 million increase to the "PENNCARE" appropriation: The PENNCARE appropriation funds services in communities for older adults. This would bring the total allocation for the FY (fiscal year) 2025-26 to $392,848,000.
- Ask for transparency: Make sure lawmakers know about the budget for older adults by including the line item appropriations from the Lottery Fund in a "tracking document" lawmakers can use during budget negotiations and before voting. Such a document would compare this year's appropriations with the proposed appropriations for next year.
- Use Revenue from "skill games" to support older adults: Use funds generated through regulating and taxing "skill games" to support AAA services for older adults. These "skill" games are reducing lottery purchases, competing with funding for critical services for Pennsylvanians age 60+.
- Ask your legislator to make their support known: Ask your local legislator to tell the Governor and their legislative leaders that they support the full $105 million increase for the PENNCARE line item.
What was in the Governor's Proposed Budget?
On February 4, Governor Shapiro proposed an increase of $20 million for the PENNCARE line item, which is the funding that supports older adults in their communities through Area Agencies on Aging. While we sincerely appreciate the proposed $20 million, this is only the starting point. AAAs need a full increase of $105 million to serve older adults in our communities.
If you are interested, you will find information about the Governor's proposed budget here. This document helps to explain the links on that page.
Resources:
- Who is my legislator? Click here.
- One page document (2-sided) that includes information about the impact of inadequate funding, and lists our budget request.
- Sample letter to legislators: Coming soon!
- Sample letter to the editor: Coming Soon!
- Links to news articles and letters to the editor