by Rachel Patterson, SLN Communications Chair
On February 9, President Obama released the last budget proposal of his administration. The President’s Budget is known as his “budget request” because it is just that – a request. Congress holds the purse strings in Washington, but the budgeting process starts with the President making requests for funding the federal government.
Overall, the budget treats disability programs well. The President requested a $28 million increase for the Administration on Community Living – the federal home for disability and aging programs. This includes a $2 million increase for the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which provides relief to family caregivers of all ages, and a $2 million increase for Aging & Disability Resource Centers, which help families navigate the long-term services and supports system.
The President also highlighted the need to improve access to long-term care services and supports. He proposed expanding the Community First Choice Option and other mechanisms to provide home and community-based services instead of institutional care, and a new pilot program to equalize access to home and community-based care compared to nursing facility care.
Learn more from the US Department of Health and Human Services Budget in Brief and White House Office of Management and Budget.
