Government Shutdown Affects Seniors

Federal Government Shutdown: Only Certain Senior Programs Affected

On October 1, 2013, the US federal government entered a government shutdown. This forced 800,000 workers into furloughs. It also caused a suspension of non-exempted services. Due to the shutdown, many federally-funded programs serving seniors have suffered. We can all be optimistic that the government will return to its normal course of business soon, but until then, as reported by Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), the following programs are affected.

Veteran Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported the government shutdown has halted the progress it was making in reducing a backlog of disability and pensions claims. The backlog, which the VA estimated to be 418,500 claims, had been dropping by more than 2,000 claims a day in the week leading up to the shutdown on October 1, 2013.

Although most of the VA is exempt from furloughs, 7,000 VA employees who process compensation claims were furloughed on Tuesday, October 2nd as well as 2,750 technology workers. Access to all 56 regional offices was also suspended this week. These regional offices provide a resource where veterans can file claims for compensation of combat- or other service-related wounds, injuries, or illnesses.

It remains unclear whether the VA will be sending out compensation checks on November 1 to the 3.8 million veterans who depend on them, according to VA spokeswoman Victoria Dillon. The VA is continuing to process compensation claims this month, but funding for this will run out by the end of October if the shutdown continues, Dillon says.

The shutdown won’t affect medical programs provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, however. All VA medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational,” the agency said in a shutdown guide sent to its field offices. “The Veterans Health Administration has received an advance appropriation to continue its services without disruption.”

Medical Research

Another agency that has been affected by the shutdown is the Nation Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest source of funding for medical research in the world. Research on Alzheimer’s disease has been halted, and the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative, which was set to officially begin early next year, has been indefinitely placed on hold until a federal budget is agreed upon.

The NIH Clinical Center, the research hospital of NIH, remains open. Patients currently enrolled in a protocol at the Clinical Center are able to continue their participation. However, at this time, the Clinical Center is unable to admit new patients — unless deemed medically necessary by the Clinical Center Director — if they are not already enrolled in a protocol.

Senior Nutrition and Hunger

Since sequestration cuts started earlier this year, 70 percent of Meals on Wheels programs have reduced the number of meals delivered to older Americans across the country. One in six programs has closed indefinitely, according to the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA).

While Meal on Wheels programs receive funding from various sources, federal funding makes up a significant portion of their resources — enough for the shutdown to severely disrupt operations. Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of MOWAA, suspects that some programs will not last more than two weeks without receiving federal funding.

“It really depends on each program. Every state is different, but beyond two weeks would really be a big strain on a number of programs,” Hollander said. “At that point what’s going to happen is we’re going to have more and more seniors who are going to be told, ‘I can’t provide you with a meal,’ and for many, Meals-on-Wheels is their lifeline.”

Read the full statement from the Meals on Wheels Association of America: Government Shutdown Poses a Serious Threat to Federally Funded Meals on Wheels Programs.

Medicare and Medicare – Not Affected

Despite the federal government shutdown, U.S. officials have said Medicare and Medicaid recipients will continue to receive health-care benefits. Money had already been set aside to continue funding to states for Medicaid services. More information about these programs with regard to the federal shutdown can be found online at HealthDay®.

 

For information about the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), visit http://www.alfa.org.

For information about senior living and care options for yourself or an elderly loved one, visit Alternatives for Seniors.