PENNSYLVANIA FEDERATION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN             January 2009 Political Briefing Joyce Grant, President                                           Debbie Taylor, Publicity Chair
			PFRW Senior Citizens Network Chair Alma Jacobs reports several senior citizen groups and organizations have joined forces to create The Pennsylvania Senior Support Coalition.  The new group is a voluntary organization of community based in-home, long care associations, seniors, care givers and consumer advocates working together toward a pair of common and important goals.  Some of the members of the new coalition are PA AARP, the Alzheimer's Association of PA, PA Area Agencies on Aging, PA Association for Senior Centers, PA Homecare Association, PA Adult Day Services Association and Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly.
	The first goal of the coalition is to preserve the dignity of Pennsylvania's older residents by providing them with choices as to where they age and ensuring that they have the necessary supports to remain within their own homes in their own community.  The second goal is relieving the Pennsylvania taxpayer of senior care costs by preserving the use of Lottery revenues.  The Lottery Legislation was initially enacted in 1972 for the express purpose of helping seniors to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.
	In a recent release the Senior Support Coalition stated Pennsylvania's long term care system is out of balance.  Nursing homes receive more than 90% of Medicaid long-term care funds for seniors.  The coalition advocates additional progress toward the goal of an even split between home-based and institutional care by 2011-12.
		Knowing that  "There's No Place Like Home" the coalition said ignoring home and community care programs has stretched them to the breaking point.  Thousands of seniors sit on waiting lists for basic services.  Senior centers have reduced services and much needed building improvements.  The group went on to say access to Adult Day Care is increasingly limited.  Inadequate reimbursement rates limit workforce development.  All these services, the coalition stated, mean the difference between nursing home placement and staying at home.
		The information released by the coalition reported Lottery Revenues are available.  Only 14% of lottery monies go directly to home and community care programs.  Over $800 million is used to fill Medicaid budget gaps over the past three years. According to the Senior Support Coalition the goals they are advocating would have no impact on the General Fund.
			Anyone interested in learning more about The Pennsylvania Senior Support Coalition can visit their web site at www.seniorsupportcoalition.net.