Retirement News : Seniors : Senior tax relief, long-term elder care tops lawmakers' priority ...

Senior tax relief, long-term elder care tops lawmakers' priority ...

Date Added: 11-03-2005

Tax relief and long-term care top the list of priorities for the Legislature's Elder Affairs Committee, members said at the first meeting of the newly formed committee, held on Monday.
 
     When asked by co-chairman Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, what they hoped to accomplish as a committee, most members agreed property tax relief will be a chief issue this session.
 
     "I represent an aging community and they're concerned about their rising property taxes," said freshman Rep. James Welch, D-West Springfield. "Until that battle is won, it has to remain a priority."
 
     Lawmakers debated legislation last session that would have allowed cities and towns to raise the property tax exemptions for senior citizens and another bill that would have granted certain elderly residents an exemption from Proposition 2 1/2 overrides. The latter proposal received House approval, but died in the Senate. The broader tax relief package did not pass either branch.
 
     "The biggest concern I am hearing from seniors in my district is property tax relief," said Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord.
 
     The committee has not formally received any bills to date, but several property tax relief proposals have been filed. One, sponsored by Rep. Paul Casey, D-Winchester, would give cities and towns the option of offering an exemption to seniors equal to 10 percent of a community's average assessed home value. It would also broaden the eligibility for the senior "circuit breaker" tax credit from $400,000 to $600,000. At a separate meeting of the Legislature's Municipal Caucus Monday, legislators said there is increasing evidence in their districts that property tax relief is needed.
 
     Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley, said conflicts between elderly residents and parents of school children are becoming "untenable."
 
     Tucker said she believes the Legislature will be able to approve legislation granting some sort of senior property tax reprieve this session.
 
     "Community after community is talking about pitting the needs of seniors against schools," she said. "Seniors on fixed incomes are finding it impossible to stay in their homes. This will be the year we give significant property tax relief to the seniors."
 
     In addition to property tax assistance, committee members said they will promote the issue of long-term care.
 
     Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, said she will file legislation called the "Caring Circle," which would make permanent a program being piloted by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The program pays certain relatives of Medicaid-eligible seniors for taking care of their senior family members. L'Italien estimates the program would cost $5 million a year and would cover about 140 seniors a month statewide.
 
     "It's another tool in the arsenal for taking care of the growing elder population," she said. "It allows someone the ability to care for a parent or relative without totally losing their income."
 
     Tucker has filed separate legislation to allow the state budget to cover more home care and help control its larger long-term care costs.
 
     "The long-term care and home care issues are very important," Tucker said. "Seniors should be cared for in the setting they prefer to be in, and the money should follow that person. A disproportionate amount of money is spent on institutions where people don't want to live."
 
     Advocates for seniors say long-term care services remain a critical area of concern for residents.
 
     "An important issue for us is long-term services and supports," said Jessica Costantino, director of advocacy for AARP Massachusetts. "Whether it's care through home and community-based service or assisted living facilities, there are issues of what quality is, how care is funded, and how people have access to care and long-term care insurance."
 
     In addition, members said they hope to look at prescription drug prices, Medicaid, elder abuse, and facilities for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
 
     Co-chairman Rep. Robert Correia, D-Fall River, said he hopes the establishment of the new committee will allow lawmakers to give seniors the attention they may have lacked in the past. "I want to make life for elderly residents in the Commonwealth more pleasant, take care of their medical needs, and any other needs they may have," he said.
 
For More Information: http://www2.townonline.com/wilmington/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=200091