Thursday, April 11, 2024
Federal Update:
The Biden Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal, outlining some of the President’s tax and spending priorities for the next decade. The President’s FY2025 Budget supports the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) mission to promote the health and well-being of all Americans. HHS proposes $130.7 billion in discretionary and $1.7 trillion in mandatory proposed budget authority for FY 2025.
Notable priorities in the FY25 budget that impact older adults:
- Lower drug prices and expand access to prescription drugs
- Cut taxes and costs for families with children (grandparents raising grandchildren)
- Increase affordable housing supply
- Protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security benefits
- Prioritize Veteran’s mental health services and suicide prevention for Veteran’s and Military servicemembers
- Advance efforts to end homelessness
State Update:
On February 21st, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker submitted the FY25 proposed budget for Illinois. The FY25 calendar year takes effect on October 1, 2024, and goes through September 30, 2025. The total proposed is $1.7 billion, a 9% increase from the FY24 enacted budget.
The Governor’s proposed FY25 budget includes the following funding levels for aging services through the Illinois Department on Aging:
- $104.4 million increase for the Community Care Program to accommodate caseload growth, utilization, and rate increase for in-home providers.
- $3.0 million increase for the Home-Delivered Meals Program.
- Maintains funding for the Adult Protective Services Program
- Maintains funding for unpaid family caregivers
Don’t forget to send an action alert!
Help us tell Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act because these valuable local programs provide older adults with in-home services, meals, transportation, caregiver support, health and wellness programs, and other essential services that help them maintain their health and independence. It takes one minute to send a letter to your Congressional leader through AgeGuide’s action alert.
