(MADISON, WI) The Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) supports critical investments addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers included in the Governor’s 2021 – 23 budget.

According to Robert Kellerman, Executive Director of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources and WAAN spokesperson, “Investments to support older adults and caregivers are desperately needed to better align funding with current needs and expenses and to further promote the wellbeing and enhance the quality of life of this population who has given so much.”

Key budget items supported by WAAN include:

  • Expanding caregiver supports provided by Aging and Disability Resource Centers and increasing funding for the Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP)
  • Expanding the Dementia Care Specialist program statewide
  • Expanding the Tribal Aging and Disability Resource Specialist and Disability Benefit Specialist programs
  • Improving hospital discharge instructions and training for family caregivers
  • Creating a non-refundable tax credit for family caregivers
  • Expanding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions
  • Increasing rates for Medicaid long-term care service providers to support improved wages for direct care workers
  • Investing in public transportation funding and transit capital equipment
  • Increasing funds for the state’s housing tax credit program to support developers to increase the supply of affordable housing options
  • Increasing investments in homelessness prevention and creating a new grant to support the hiring of housing navigators throughout the state
  • Indexing the parameters of the Homestead Tax Credit for inflation
  • Improving Medicaid coverage by expanding access to BadgerCare and access to critical health services
  • Improving access to mental and behavioral health services and treatment
  • Expanding access to prescription medication by lowering out-of-pocket costs
  • Increasing access to voting, including automatic voter registration
  • Increasing broadband funding and supports to improve high-speed internet service in un- and underserved areas.

We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to build on these aging network priorities throughout the budget process.

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