Governor Patrick Has Done It Again!

He's done it again--for the third year in a row.
From: Al Norman, Mass Home Care

Governor Patrick once again has failed to articulate any vision for an elderly agenda for the Commonwealth in his annual State of the State speech.

In 2009, the Governor said we should "check on your elderly neighbor when its cold to make sure the heat is on." That was the only  reference to seniors.

In 2008, the Governor said: "Too many young families and seniors are still being pushed out of their homes by escalating property taxes."

And this evening's State of the State kept alive the absence of any elderly themes. The closest he came to a senior issue was one anecdote about a "grandmother" in Lynn who had to take in her children's family into her home---and then lost her job.

Nothing about how the state has driven down the use on institutions by 25% since 2000.

Nothing about the aspirations of seniors to live out the days at home.

Nothing about his frustrations to implement a plan that gives senior citizens a right to care in the least restrictive setting.

What could he say?

    There are 2,300 seniors waiting to get into home care.

    I impounded $2.5 million meant to help guide seniors to their alternatives to nursing homes.

    I cut $1 million from the elder abuse protection program.

    I failed to submit an 1115 waiver that we spent two years negotiating with the federal government.

    I shut down virtually all of my "Community First" agenda.

This is the State of the State, and for this reason, there seemed to  be very little for the Governor to talk about.