SENIORS RAISE CONCERNS AND
DISCUSS ISSUES
I recently met with a group of AARP members to discuss
issues that are important to them. The first thing we
discussed was the new Medicare agreement. New Jersey
currently has two very generous prescription drug benefits,
Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
and Senior Gold. PAAD has a minimum income limit of $20,000
for single seniors and $25,000 for combined income seniors.
Senior Gold has a minimum of $30,000 for single and $35,000
for combined income households. Both programs provide
prescription assistance. New Jersey lawmakers were initially
concerned that the new Medicare legislation would harm the
230,000 beneficiaries of New Jersey’s programs, but
provisions placed in the Medicare program will allow New
Jersey to coordinate its programs with the federally funded
plans. Private insurers will be able to provide new federal
benefits and New Jersey will be able to add its own funding
to be certain that seniors get the same coverage they are
currently provided. For more information on PAAD and Senior
Gold call 1-800-792-9745 and The Center for Medicare
Services (800) 267-2323.
New Jersey also has a program called Easy Access Single
Entry (EASE). EASE is a county-based system to offer seniors
one stop shopping for all of the services the State can
offer them. Instead of calling different agencies to get
information, EASE coordinates all services that are
available for seniors, without the endless run-arounds or
time spent on hold. You can reach the Monmouth County office
at 732-431-7450.
Property taxes was another big concern. New Jersey needs
to seriously consider what remedy is necessary to curb the
spiraling costs. It has been suggested by the Democrats that
a Constitutional convention needs to be called. The problem
is that this convention would only address revenues, not
spending. Spending is the reason that property taxes
increase. I plan to look to other states, like Colorado and
Washington, to see how their successful Tax Payers Bill of
Rights programs can be implemented in New Jersey.
The proposed Budget for 2005 does nothing to address
additional spending. The budget has grown 10 percent from
last years, to over $26 billion. Most concerning is that
operational expenses will cost $4 million, for which the
Governor proposes deficit bond spending. Imagine mortgaging
you house to by groceries. That is exactly what this bonding
does. However, when the time comes to repay, in 20 years,
McGreevey will be long gone. But it is still the taxpayers
who will be left to pay. There are also new fees and hidden
taxes that will crop up. Like the Realty Transfer Fee, which
means that the seller of an average priced home in New
Jersey ($300,000) will be responsible for paying an
additional $485 in taxes ($2,200 instead of $1,715).
Another concern deals with the Lottery. A portion of the
money from the state lottery goes to educational programs,
for example higher education costs, tuition assistance and
veteran nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and programs
for the developmentally disabled. The Casino Revenue Fund is
the sole source for the PAAD program, but also funds for
personal care attendants and medical transports for senior
and the disabled so that they can see their doctors if they
have no other way to get there. |
