The Issue

Testimonials

Friendly House Senior Programs has the privilege of serving a 97 woman who lives downtown. She is a delightful woman who has the strong emotional support of friends, but they are getting on in years as well, and are unable to assist her in routine housekeeping, and assistance in bathing. Ms. Jones has little contact with her family who she says are "too busy" for her. Ms. Jones suffers from many of the physical ailments one would expect from a 97 year old woman; vision problems, balance issues, history of stroke, but she also carries the burden of severe PTSD that developed as a result of her years detained in a prisoner of war camp in Indonesia during WWII.

Despite all of the challenges Ms. Jones faces daily, she remains a vital, thoughtful member of the community, and it is her strong desire to remain independent as long as possible. Before finding assistance through OPI, Ms. Jones was strongly encouraged to explore other living options such as assisted living, or foster care. With the assistance of OPI, Ms. Jones has a qualified HCW coming to her home to assist her with general upkeep of her home, as well as some light meal prep to supplement the Meals on Wheels she gets daily. When Ms. Jones broke her femur last year, it became necessary for her to begin receiving a bath aid to be sure she could safely shower.

It is not enough to continue funding OPI at the current levels. OPI funding must increase with the need for service. More seniors are living longer then ever before, and in order to keep these people within the communities that they enrich and are valued by we must offer them reasonable supports such as housekeeping, and bathing assistance, and allow them the opportunity to age in the homes that they feel safest.

Dear Commission Members,

Today, I received a call from Friendly House asking me to be a part of their advocacy efforts is Salem on 4/26. It was with a heavy heart that I had to decline their request due to my inability to sit for long periods of time. You see, I had a hip replacement several months ago, and my recovery has been long. Do to unforeseen complications I have required more assistance then I ever though I’d be willing to accept. Thanks to Friendly House, and funding from OPI my recovery is at home.

I am a long time social worker, with an extensive background in senior emotional wellness. In addition to working in social service, I’m also an aging woman who is struggling with depression. When I was told that there had been complications as a result of my surgery, and I was going to have to recuperate in a rehab facility, I was at the lowest point ever. I view myself as an independent person with all the supports I need. I refused the rehab care, and went home. It did not take long to realize that I was in over my head, and I enlisted the support of Friendly House. A caseworker greeted me at my home with a food box she had prepared keeping in mind my need for easy meal preparation. Within two days, she had arranged for me to have someone come in and assist me with bathing, and housekeeping tasks that I was not able to do. My Caseworker has explained that the assistance I was receiving was funded from OPI, Oregon Project Independence; I liked the sound of it.

I’m well into my recovery, and good days are getting better, and the bad days are getting fewer. I no longer need the extra supports from Oregon Project Independence. I do know that at this time in my life, my body is winding down. It gives me tremendous comfort to know that OPI is there for me should I need it. I ask you with all that I have to secure the funding, so that I know that when the time comes for me to ask for a little help, it will be there.

Sincerely,
Virginia

Neighborhood House OPI client story:

My client is 89 years old and lives alone in a house that is located in the woods on a somewhat isolated piece of property. She is diagnosed with high blood pressure, hypertension, experiences tremors and has a history of a fractured foot which complicates her balance. Although she does have children, they live far away and are not frequently involved with her personal care, decision making or future planning.

Through Oregon Project Independence, her Home Care Worker who spends 10 hours a month with her, not only provides her assistance with housekeeping, mobility and running errands, but also relieves her of her loneliness a few hours a week and acts as an advocate on her behalf when she expresses a need that might not otherwise be noticed. For example, recently I received a phone call from my client’s HCW to let me know my client was concerned about the rising costs of her drug prescriptions, as she lives on an extremely limited budget. I was able to get a SHIBA volunteer involved to meet with my client, who then helped her research her options and we have now discovered she is covered more fully on her deceased husband’s VA benefit than she was on her health care plan. This is just one way the HCW has "kept an eye" on my client and in doing so, has increased the quality of her life.

My client does pay a very small portion of the OPI services provided to her with a monthly co-payment. She has been receiving these services for over 3 years and without them, would predictably be very depressed, confused and lost as she is gradually showing more signs of memory loss and an increased difficulty keeping track of her personal matters. She is an intelligent woman with a bright, caring, and optimistic personality and her overall happiness and well-being is unquestionably enhanced with the OPI supports in place.

Neighborhood House OPI client story:
 

My client is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and gets chemotherapy which makes her feel tired and have flu like symptoms. Some day it is a struggle just to get up in the morning. She takes about 14 different types of medications including those for chronic pain. She has three children, including one son with a disability. They are great support system but their employment and family demands do not enable them to be full time caregivers.

Despite all of the physical and mental stress she experiences, she has a wonderful attitude about her life. She just takes one day at a time. She still feels alive and lives independently in her own home with the support of a home care worker provided by Oregon Project Independence. If the client moved to an assisted living or nursing home, it would be another loss that she is not ready to give in to. The home care worker has been with the client for three years and also provided support for her husband when he was dying of cancer. The home care worker not only provides the client with personal care and housekeeping needs but has become a caring and supportive friend who gives her the extra push to make it through difficult days.

The client would not be able to pay for the service herself. She has high prescription drug and medical costs that takes up much of her income. Without OPI, she would not be able to get the social, physical, and emotional support that she greatly needs.

Editorials

Service helps seniors, taxpayers

Jun 19, 2007

The 2007 Legislative session is ending soon, and there's important unfinished business. As an advocate for senior concerns, and as a senior myself, I'm keenly aware of the problems of aging (I'm turning 75 soon) and would like to call attention to the need to restore state funding for Oregon Project Independence.

OPI, an outstanding achievement for Oregon, has served seniors for 35 years. In many cases, the service offers the only help many seniors with no family support have in maintaining independence without being forced to go to a nursing home.

The typical cost of a nursing home in Oregon is about $5,200 per month; OPI costs $135 per month.

Currently, 859 people in Multnomah County are on OPI. To qualify, seniors as well as younger persons with disabilities must be physically assessed and meet low-income requirements.

Without OPI, relying on Medicaid, Oregon would have to pay five to 10 times the $135 per month to care for those eligible. These folks also would not be able to live at home.

Concerned citizens would like to see the restoration of the general fund assigned to OPI at the amount of $12 million. We also support Gov. Ted Kulongoski's proposed funding increase of $4 million.

In addition, we want Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral program funds - a program that by itself is unable to support OPI - to support the service in 2008, and to make the program age neutral.

When I read the news about the legislative budget, I noticed that the media is largely focused on education funding.

It is an unfortunate truth that there's a paid lobby for education but not for many other community interests, such as services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Restoring funding for OPI, which saves Oregon tax dollars, shows that we care for vulnerable Oregonians and is as important to our future as a civilized community as funding for education.

It's also a good idea to keep in mind that Portland's senior population will grow by 14 percent over the next five years and increase even more in the next two decades.

We can expect to see a good deal of change in the years ahead. This remarkable program, OPI, puts us in a good position to meet the state's growing needs.

Mary MacKenzie is a member of the Elders in Action Commission.

Senior program valuable

Monday, June 11, 2007

Oregon Project Independence is a vital and essential community support system, with a proven 32-year history. It is a cost-effective program that enables seniors to continue living independently, remaining in their own homes while continuing to play a vital role within their communities.
Oregon Project Independence makes essential support services available and affordable to disadvantaged seniors. A commitment of $16 million from the general fund (one-sixth of 1 percent of the fund) would restore the 20 percent of the caseload previously cut and still ensure that Oregon Project Independence remains safe and steady in the next biennium.
JOSEPH VANDERVEER Southwest Portland
MICHAEL EAGAN Southeast Portland

Fragile seniors need boost

We are concerned. The state budget plans show significant projected increases in revenue, yet critical services to seniors are in danger of inadequate funding.

We urge Oregon Project Independence to be funded at $16 million from the general fund. Oregon Project Independence allows low-income seniors to live in their own homes at tremendous savings to taxpayers. Currently, Multnomah County spends $135 per person through Oregon Project Independence, whereas nursing home care would cost on average of $5,200 a month.

Consider "Mary," 70, crippled with arthritis, living on $538 a month and relying upon Oregon Project Independence for two hours of housekeeping a week, or "Lola," 84, on oxygen and needing Oregon Project Independence for one bath a week and meal assistance. These seniors and 857 others in Multnomah County are able to live with dignity and independence because of the project.

Seniors contribute significantly to the community. The most vulnerable among them must be protected.

BETTY BRISLAWN Elders in Action Southwest Portland

Newspaper Articles

Oregon does good job of caring for elderly

22 percent of Medicaid clients are in nursing homes

Statesman Journal
June 20, 2007

Sometimes we Oregonians don t give ourselves credit. Sometimes we ignore the good job we re doing.

An example is how Oregon helps low-income elderly and disabled people stay in their homes instead of moving them to higher-cost nursing homes.

Consider this: When a Nashville newspaper looked for states that were doing a better job than Tennessee of caring for poor elderly and disabled people, it picked Oregon for a model.

Each state has about 28,000 low-income elderly and disabled people on Medicaid, The Tennessean explained. In Tennessee in 2005, nearly 99 percent were in nursing homes -- the highest rate in the country.

In contrast, 22 percent of Oregon s elderly and disabled Medicaid clients were in nursing homes. The rest got care at home or in alternative facilities such as adult foster homes.

That makes sense. Most elderly people would rather stay in their own homes for as long as they can. They try to get by on their own, with some help from relatives and neighbors.

Sometimes they need just one or two additional services to make it work -- hiring someone to shop for groceries or give them a bath a couple of times a week or make sure they re taking their medications.

Many nursing homes provide excellent care. But it s far better to use state and federal dollars to provide in-home help than to send people to a nursing home at $200 per day.

The irony is that the status quo, which looks good to Tennessee, shouldn t be acceptable to Oregon.

Oregon s programs took big hits during the 2001-02 recession, and they ve never been restored to their former strength. Only the poorest and most disabled now qualify for in-home services. Many people can t get state help, even if they have serious problems such as difficulty in feeding themselves.

These services will become even more important in the years to come. By 2025, about one in six Oregonians will be 65 years or older, up from one in eight today. Far more people will live to age 85 and beyond.

Many of them will need medical and other care -- care that respects their dignity and their wish to be independent. In the case of low-income seniors, that care must stretch public money as far as possible because there will be proportionally fewer wage-earners to underwrite it.

Now is the time to keep investing in that system.

Link

For a link to a story in The Tennessean about Medicaid care for the elderly in Tennessee and Oregon, visit: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070520/NEWS07/705200397/1024/ NEWS

State s senior citizens fight back against cuts

Thousands of Oregonians lost services in the 2001-02 recession

STEVE LAW Statesman Journal

May 28, 2007

All Mary Mercer wants is some home cooking.

The 77-year-old Salem woman was forced to leave a Monmouth assisted-living facility last year, because of stiffer eligibility requirements that meant she no longer qualified for the subsidized senior service. And she couldn t afford to pay for it all herself.

Now she can t even get occasional in-home care, despite a tremor making her hand shake so badly she can t write, prepare food or button her blouse.

"I can live by myself, but it would be so much better if I had a little help," Mercer said. "I don t cook. I just eat TV dinners."

Mercer is one of several thousand Oregonians who lost senior services in recent years because of cutbacks after the 2001-02 recession.

Senior service advocates hoped that in-home care would be fully funded now that state coffers are healthier. But lawmakers are more intent on reversing past cuts to schools, colleges and highway patrols.

That s causing some heated exchanges between senior advocates and lawmakers trying to wrap up the 2007-09 state budget.

"We feel that seniors and people with disabilities have essentially been ignored and abandoned in the budget," said Barry Donenfeld, who runs a Salem agency serving clients in five counties. "I think we ve been painted into a corner."

Seniors are "finding their voice" to demand more money from legislators, said Nicole Palmateer, lobbyist for Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities. Those regional agencies, including Northwest Senior & Disability Services led by Donenfeld, provide state- and federally-funded services to seniors.

Their prime target is Sen. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, co-chairman of the powerful joint budget committee.

"There is a ton of misinformation that is scaring seniors," said Schrader, who is getting an earful from seniors. "That is totally inappropriate."

Schrader said no senior services are being cut in 2007-09, and he s trying to assure stable funding so seniors aren t cut from programs in the future.

Advocates say it s the wrong time to freeze in-home care, because it s cheaper and more popular than nursing homes and Oregon s frail population is climbing.

Forced to move

Mercer sold her Monmouth house three years ago, handing most of the sale proceeds to the state when she moved into an assisted-living center. Last August, Mercer got 30 days notice to vacate that center.

The reason? A caseworker upgraded Mercer from a Level 13 on the scale of needed services to a Level 14. Those at Level 14 need assistance eating. Those at Level 13 need help going to the bathroom.

The Legislature eliminated services for people at Levels 14 to 17 in 2003, leaving thousands of seniors in the lurch.

Mercer, who lives on about $1,200 a month from Social Security, keeps a tidy apartment in South Salem, and still drives to buy groceries. But she doesn t trust herself with a knife, and burns her hand when trying to use a toaster. She only eats packaged foods that she can microwave.

Bringing a spoon or fork to her mouth is so cumbersome that the food gets cold, Mercer said. She s too embarrassed to go to restaurants.

She tried Meals on Wheels, but Mercer is allergic to citrus and breaks out in hives. She had to toss much of the food delivered to her home because it included juice or citric acid as a preservative.

Mercer would love it if someone could come prepare meals and stock up her freezer. Then she wouldn t eat a steady diet of microwaveable food.

"I just feel like I m one of the people that have fallen through the cracks," she said.

Political football

Senior advocates are most concerned about restoring in-home care to those at Levels 14 to 17, which is 60 percent funded by the federal Medicaid program and bolstering Oregon Project Independence, a state-funded program that launched a national move toward in-home services in 1975.

Former Gov. John Kitzhaber sought to eliminate Oregon Project Independence when state funds grew tight, because it doesn t bring Medicaid matching money. Senior advocates prize the program, because it s cheaper and more flexible, without federal strings.

House Republicans joined with senior advocates to protect Oregon Project Independence during Democrat Kitzhaber s administration.

In 2005, senior advocates won passage of Senate Bill 870, which aimed to expand Oregon Project Independence and give it new money from the senior property-tax deferral fund. Advocates were heartened when Gov. Ted Kulongoski proposed $16.6 million for the program in his 2007-09 budget, enough to reverse past cutbacks.

But then Schrader and his House counterpart, Rep. Mary Nolan, D-Portland, countered with $12.6 million in their proposed budget, enough to retain current services but not fund the promised expansion. In both proposals, all the money would come from the senior property-tax deferral program, and none from the discretionary general fund.

Donenfeld and Palmateer fear Oregon Project Independence will lose its claim to future general-fund money, making it vulnerable in future competition from school, higher education and public safety advocates.

GOP support

Senate Republicans issued a letter saying it s no time to "cut and run" from Oregon Project Independence by removing its general-fund support.

House Republican Leader Wayne Scott, R-Canby, accused Democratic budget chiefs of trying to cut the project, and said there s enough money to restore past cuts to schools and senior services. Scott declined to say where he d reduce funds to bolster in-home care.

Nolan countered that the senior tax-deferral program will make Oregon Project Independence immune from future "catfights" over general fund money.

"Democrats made sure they re no longer on the chopping block because it s a dedicated funding source," Schrader said.

However, there s no long-term guarantee of money in the senior property-tax deferral fund. It gets replenished when seniors die or sell their homes, and deferred property taxes are paid from sale proceeds.

Despite the accusations from senior advocates, Schrader said some senior programs are being bolstered in his and Nolan s budget proposals. Those include nursing-home staffing levels and higher reimbursements to Area Agencies on Aging, one of that group s priorities.

More money coming

And Schrader said the Oregon Project Independence budget is likely to climb to $13 million to $14 million, after a new analysis, called a "reshoot," determined there s $33 million that can be redeployed in human services funding.

"The reshoot has enabled us to put some additional dollars in," he said.

Schrader said it s fair criticism that past in-home care cuts aren t being reversed. But he said lawmakers want to be able to sustain current services, and not yank senior services again when revenues dip.

That suggests that state funding won t be keeping pace with the looming rise in Oregon s elderly population, and the likelihood is there ll be many more Mary Mercers facing unmet needs in the future.

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Letters sent to Legislators

Dear Rep. Nolan:

I am one of your constituents living near Wilson High School.  I am writing today in support of renewed and expanded funding for Oregon Project Independence.  As a director of the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association and a Personal Advocate for Elders in Action, I work with both seniors on fixed income and members of Oregon’s disabled community on a regular basis.  Like you, I have an opportunity to listen to personal stories which demonstrate how important even marginal amounts of income, such as $135 per month, can mean to a senior or disabled individual who is trying valiantly to pay for rent, groceries, healthcare and prescriptions, transportation, clothing, and other essentials.  For this reason, I hope that you will support increasing state financial support for Oregon Project Independence to at least $16 million during the next biennium, and that you will not move its funding out of the General Fund. 

Although $16 million is a small fraction of one (1) percent of the State of Oregon budget, its application in support of OPI has a great multiplier impact in not only helping seniors and the disabled to meet their primary requirements of living, but it potentially saves Oregon and the United States much larger sums we might otherwise be spending upon nursing home care.  Although moving the funding to the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral Fund may be well-intended in giving it a more stable base, it is unnecessarily complicated and potentially too restrictive.  The recipients will be better served by retaining the general fund as its source of revenue.

Thank you for all that you are doing for the seniors and the disabled who comprise a portion of your constituency.  I hope that by the next Legislature in 2009, we at EIA and HNA can help you develop an even clearer statistical and descriptive picture of the needs of Oregon’s low-income seniors and its disabled communities.  It will certainly make it easier for you in the Legislature to plan your support for both in a rational way.  Please call upon me personally if I can serve in some small way to assist in this effort.

Sincerely yours,

Robert E. Hamilton, Ph.D.
Progressive Health Worldwide
--------------------------------
June 7, 2007 
Oregon State Legislature
State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97301 

Dear

We are writing on behalf of the Elders in Action Commission which represents 95,000 seniors in Multnomah County. We have been taking part in various meetings and hearings during this legislative session and understand that you face difficult funding decisions for a wide range of valuable State services and programs. Consequently, it was very disheartening to learn that HB 2530 will be shelved for this legislative term. Our Commission has taken a strong stand that major revenue reform is the most significant legislation that must take place in order to assure the possibility of adequate funding for the many needs of our State.

Some of our Commission members have held individual meetings with legislators to advocate on behalf of essential programs for our most vulnerable seniors. Whenever we met with legislators, the reply was often one of sympathy followed by the disclaimer "but there is not enough money to go around." Needless to say, this is of concern when we must tell "Mary," 70, crippled with arthritis, living on $538/month and relying upon OPI for 2 hours ofhousekeepinglweek, or "Lola," 84, on oxygen and needing OPI for one bath/week and meal assistance, that they will have to find the money because Oregon Project Independence may not be adequately funded. These seniors and 857 others in Multnomah County are able to live with dignity and independence because of OPr.

When we have met with legislators we have also been told: "you really need to actively push for revenue reform instead of simply asking for more money." We are eager to do just that. However, without more specific direction from those with legislative fiscal expertise, we will be less effective than we could be. We call upon your leadership to guide us in helping to make this happen.

We urge you to do everything in your power to ensure that changes to the revenue system in Oregon take place in order that citizens like "Mary" and "Lola" can continue to live with dignity and independence in our communities. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Betty Brislawn                                                                                Michael Eagan
Elders in Action Commission Chair                                             Commission Advocacy Coordinator

------------------------
May 22, 2007 
Joe & Pam VanderVeer
6815 SW Capitol Hill Rd., #11
Portland, OR 97219-2665

The Honorable Mary Nolan
Oregon House of Representatives
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301  

Dear Representative Nolan, 

We respectfully submit that our concern remains that the SPD property tax deferral fund in and of itself is not sufficient to support and/or carry OPI. OPI has always been funded entirely out of the general fund.   The OPI Modernization Act (SB870), sponsored by Senator Morrisette, intended to enhance and expand OPI (including opening it to people with disabilities under age 60). 

With the current proposed budget for OPI, SB 870 isn’t being honored because the funds intended for expansion of OPI are instead being used to put it on minimal life support.  This level of funding can’t even maintain the current level of service from the 05-07 biennium.   

OPI is a quality of life program.  The difference between life with OPI and life without OPI is the difference between life being worth living and not worth living.  Life in a nursing home is not worth living... and that is where thousands of Oregonians would be without OPI... and there are thousands more that OPI is currently unable to serve at present funding levels.  Yet, the amount needed to continue supporting OPI, $16 million, is just a small fraction of 1% of the general fund.

Oregon was just awarded the Money Follows the Person federal grant for $114 million to transition 780 people from nursing homes to the community over a 5 year period.  Without sufficient funding of OPI, which served over 3,300 people in 2006, the vacancies in the nursing homes will be quickly filled again.  The cost to both the state and the federal system will dwarf the amount being sought for OPI from the general fund for this biennium.

From what we’re told, the co-chairs propose to split the $150 million up six ways, with 50 million left for reserves:

Oregon University System: $15 million
Higher Education Capital Construction: $25 million
Community Colleges: $37 million
Department of Education Head Start: $10 million
Public Safety: $10 million
Economic and Workforce Development: $5 million
Reserves: $50 million

How about this: take $1.3 million from each of the six proposed areas, for a total of $7.8 million, and match that with $7.8 million from the remaining 50 million reserves and thereby keep OPI in the general fund at $15.6 million (and the tax deferral fund as planned as well).

With all due respect but also in complete honesty, because of the amount of "good" that OPI does, as well as its fiscal sensibility, the Ways and Means committee’s refusal to acknowledge OPI as the vital and essential program that it is, is offensive to all seniors and people with disabilities. 

It is not acceptable that the small fraction of 1% of the budget that OPI needs to survive is essentially being given to education (already funded at 61% of the G.F.).  If we continue down this path, eventually aging Oregonians will never see their grandchildren because they’ll be “living” in nursing homes instead of in their own homes and communities.  The same will be true for people with young children who acquire a permanent disabling condition, due to an accident or a stroke at some point in their lives, for example (something that can happen to anyone, anytime). 

I can’t imagine that this is really what the people would want.  I also can’t believe that this is the legacy that the incumbent Oregon legislature wishes to leave. 

Please don’t allow OPI to be erased from the general fund.   

Enclosed are 3 case worker testimonies on 2 Neighborhood House clients and 1 Friendly House client who receive OPI services.  Also enclosed is 1 personal testimony by a  Friendly House client who is a former recipient of OPI services.  I believe that district 36 includes Neighborhood House and Friendly House. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. 

Sincerely, 
Joe and Pam VanderVeer 
------------------------
May 18, 2007

To:          Jeff Merkeley

From:    Michael Eagan

Subject:               “The Word”

Jeff:       The “Gospel” according to Michael follows:

While the purpose and procedure of the  current revision of the co-chairs 2007 budget is clear for the most part, there are some key aspects of the plan that are not viable long-term and must be corrected.  

My primary concern remains OPI.

The legislature in its wisdom created OPI 32 years ago and placed it in the general fund for stability, where it remained all these years through thick and thin.   While this biennium is not the most abundant fiscally, it’s not overly sparse either.   Why jeopardize OPI unnecessarily by transferring it to a source like the SPD tax deferral fund, which is highly unstable?   The revenue stream into the tax deferral fund has never been sufficient to maintain a program such as OPI.  In regard to the level of funding needed to administer OPI properly as it is currently configured, and restoring the service levels previously cut; the amount of $16 million needs to be allocated from the G.F.  

As for monies available for general fund purposes in 07/09, the beginning balance available was $10 billion.   The mid-session forecast added over $150 million and the DHS re-shoot came up with still another $33 million.   

If you use the analogy of a train, once we get off the general fund “express” and board the tax deferral “local”, in future biennium, we’ll have less chance than a one-legged hobo to re-board the express along with our usual baggage.  

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I want to point out that $16 million represents less than 1/6^thof 1% of the total available funding.   (Give me a break)

Sincerely,

Your friend and neighbor, Michael

More About OPI

Oregon Project Independence -

Restore the General Fund from the DHS Reshoot.

Protect Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities.

• The Deferral program would need to have approximately 13,000 enrollees in order to fund OPI at $12 million on a regular basis. The current deferral has approximately 8,000 enrollees with high turnover. The dollars available now are an anomaly and not expected to repeat;
• Under the current Co-Chairs budget structure, the funds in the deferral would have to be depleted each biennium to realize only $3-4.5 million – inadequate funding for this program.
  Stakeholders agree that this is not a stable source of support for OPI and puts services in danger.
• The State General Fund commitment to OPI realizes a high level of return for Oregon – Medicaid funded services cost Oregon 5-10x more in state funds than OPI. Project Independence offers services that delay entry into this system at approximately $200 per person per month.

• Restore the General Fund commitment to Oregon Project Independence - $12 million from the Reshoot funds – spend a little and get back a lot;
• Restore OPI to $16 million for this important and cost effective program – and keep the cost of helping our seniors at a savings to Oregonians and serve people with disabilities;
• Protect the funds in the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral.

The funds ARE available from the DHS Reshoot – which would allow general fund to be restored to OPI without disturbing the current General Funds allocated to priorities including education and safety.

April 29, 2007
A big thank you to all of you who took time out of your busy day to come down or up to Salem to testify or witness the public testimony for SB 5031 - the DHS Budget bill and the Seniors/People with Disabilities portion of that budget. Thursday's hearing room was packed to the gills.

O4AD's intern has wrote the following report from the public hearings -

"The Legislature is required by law, by state constitution to raise revenue sufficient to meet the needs of the state," Senator Avel Gordly assured a packed hearing room, with overflow to a second down the hall.  Facing budget cuts in this legislative session, and still reacting to cuts from the last, an impressive group of advocates for seniors and people with disabilities were adamant that the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services would fulfill this obligation. 

The subcommittee could hardly ignore it Thursday afternoon, as 33 individuals from diverse groups and perspectives provided testimony on the role of state programs in their daily lives. Though each of O4AD's legislative priorities were thoroughly represented, most of the public testimony discussed staffing levels and equity, Oregon Project Independence funding, and the restoration of a General Assistance fund for newly-disabled individuals in the process of applying for Social Security. 

Many senior and disabled services providers commented on the frustrations of attempting to provide adequate care while understaffed because of significant cuts in state funding.  Both OPI recipients and service providers declared the necessity not only of the program itself, but of a stable funding source comprised of a balance of General Fund dollars to maintain and Senior Property Tax Deferral money to expand services.  Brian Haisch, a recipient of age-blind Multnomah County OPI, offered his personal story as support for a state-wide expansion of OPI to include people with disabilities regardless of age. 

Several people, including representatives from the Oregon Law Center and the Advocacy Coalition of Seniors and People with Disabilities spoke to the need for restoring the General Assistance fund in getting people the help they need while they navigate the Social Security application process.  In all, the public testimony provided the committee with a clear and broad view of the needs of Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities, and what must be done to fulfill them.

Making your voice heard is a critical part of our legislative process. Thank you for your participation all week long with your calls, emails, and presence in the capitol.

O4AD would like to recognize Senators Gordly and Morrisette for highlighting issues of key concern to our programs - Oregon Project Independence and the equity issue. Thank you Senators.

And now, our real work begins.

Now that hearings are over, it is a race for the last 'supposed' two months of the session as dollars are being decided on and rationed out to programs, it continues to be of utmost importance to stay in touch with your local legislators and those on Ways and Means - Full and Human Services Subcommittee.

O4AD will continue to advocate for:

1.    Stabilizing OPI through restoring the commitment of general fund dollars.

2.    Expansion of OPI to fulfill the commitment of the 05 session to expand the program and to serve younger people with physical disabilities

3.    Protecting the funds in the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral reserve funds that are dedicated to growth of OPI.

4.    Equity at 95% for the transfer Area Agencies on Aging - to insure that those we serve are not shortchanged.

5.    Consumer protections - SB 957 offers protection for the long-term care system from integration of acute and long-term care through a managed care project.

6.    Restoration of funds and commitment to programs for seniors through HB 2951 - the Older Oregonians Act.

7.    Restoration of General Assistance to serve the most desperately in need.

8.    Start reinvesting in services, programs, prevention for Oregon's seniors and People with Disabilities - having had to withstand cuts in service levels for too many years.

MAY 8, 3:30 pm in Hearing Room 50 is our second "Advocate Forum" with the topic - "Mid Session Report Card - Is the Legislature Making the Grade?" We hope you will join us.

Again, thank you for your continued support on behalf of Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities!

Click here for a comprehensive document on Oregon’s Home and Community Based Services System... 

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It s time to call on our legislators to restore funds, don t ignore this population!

Call upon Ways and Means members and Senate and House Leadership to rewrite the seniors and people with disabilities budget today!

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No More Excuses - Fund Seniors and People with Disabilities The revenue forecast shows very rainy days ahead for Oregon's vulnerable

With a robust revenue forecast available to the 2007 Legislature, it is unacceptable that there are no funds directed to services to seniors and people with disabilities from the forecast. Our seniors and people with disabilities and the programs that serve them have been left out of the budget process - no funds, no support, no voice - and their rainy day is here now.

However, this Legislature is only too willing to take advantage of that healthy revenue forecast, which is paid for in large part by Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities who make up 1/3 of our population.

Services to seniors and people with disabilities have not been restored to pre-recession levels. Our system suffers from unmanageable caseloads, inadequate resources to provide necessary services and continues to be cut through rebalances, reshoots and savings in the system. Seniors are being asked to be satisfied with unstable and unreliable funding, AND to find their own money for their programs.  But now we are asking - is this Legislative body willing to accept leaving our vulnerable out in the cold in the 2007-09 biennium?

Now is the time to call for a rewrite of the budget for seniors and people with disabilities:

Restore the General Fund commitment to OPI: $16m General Fund for OPI,  

Protect the funds in the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral Reserves for expansion of OPI,  

Fund equity at 95% and protect the 75% of Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities that are being shortchanged,  

Restore, don't ignore: start bringing back our services to help the thousands that have been left out without help and support in our state from multiple biennium of cuts.

Don't fail Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities.

Call for a balanced budget rewrite - take care of Oregon's seniors and people with disabilities. Maintain independence, dignity and quality of life.

• Restore the General Fund commitment to Oregon Project Independence - $12 million from the General Fund;
• Support the Governor's proposed increase to OPI in the amount of $4 million to raise the base of funding to $16 million for this important program;Protect the funds in the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral to allow funds to be directed to support of growth and expansion of OPI in 2008. It is critical to keep these funds safe and intact.

• There are 859 people in Multnomah County like Edna on OPI.
• There are 141 people like Brian in Multnomah County who need OPI services.
• Each OPI recipient receives an average of $135.00 per month in services.
• To qualify for OPI, they must be physically assessed, and have an income below $1,633 per month for a single person.  Clients with incomes of $818-$1,633 per month make a mandatory co-pay on a sliding-fee scale.Under Medicaid, it could cost the state of Oregon 5-10X as much to care for them in a more intensive setting.  Many would no longer be able to live at home.

The Resolution

RESOLUTION of Seniors and People w/ Disabilities
re: OREGON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE

WHEREAS, OREGON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE is already known by the legislature to be a fiscally advantageous program for both the State and Federal health care systems; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, SB 870 allowed for People w/ (physical) Disabilities below age 60 to be added to OREGON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE “at such time as there is sufficient funding”; and

WHEREAS, OREGON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE is essential to the independent functioning and productivity of Seniors and People w/ Disabilities;  and

WHEREAS, technologies are emerging that empower People w/ Disabilities to be productive members of society for the first time in history; and

WHEREAS, enabling the productivity of People w/ Disabilities will have a beneficial effect on State revenues; and

WHEREAS, the population of Seniors and working age People w/ Disabilities is an ever growing demographic and emerging political presence.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, Oregon’s Seniors and People w/ Disabilities, in unified voice with our families and our friends, do hereby express our profound disappointment in the Ways & Means Committee of the Oregon legislature, for zeroing out funding for this quality-of-life enhancing program. We respectfully request that this decision be reconsidered.