AARP Applauds Gov. Doyle Expansion of Family Care beyond pilot counties

1
May 10, 2006 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gail Sumi, AARP Wisconsin State Advocacy Director
Office 608/ 286-6307
AARP Wisconsin Applauds Governor Doyle
and Legislature on Expanding Options for
Aging at Home
Madison –AARP Wisconsin thanks Governor Jim Doyle for expanding access to home and
community based services to all Wisconsinites by signing Senate Bill 653 into law today in Green
Bay. The bill, co-authored by Senator Roessler (Oshkosh), and State Representative Dean Kaufert
(Neenah) and supported by a bipartisan list of legislators, lifts limitations on Wisconsin’s Family
Care program which currently is available in only five pilot counties.
Patricia Finder-Stone AARP Wisconsin State President said “AARP Wisconsin has been working
for expansion of the program for years. It’s not right that whether you are able to remain at home or
you receive care in a nursing home is dependent on whether you live in one of the five pilot
counties.” The counties with the program are Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Portage, Richland and
Milwaukee Counties. In counties not currently served by the program the elderly and people with
disabilities may face a wait of one to two years before they can get the services they need.
Under the expansion more people will have access to home and community based services.
“Intuitively we know and AARP surveys show that people wish to remain in their own homes for as
long as possible. Under this bill aging in place becomes a feasible, more affordable option. It’s a
win for consumers and for taxpayers,” Finder-Stone said. A recent audit of the program showed
that in all but one pilot county, Family Care was on average $452 dollars less per person per month
than traditional nursing home care.
AARP Wisconsin and Wisconsin policy makers recognize that with the rising costs of healthcare
and the aging of the population, a program like this one which offers choice, independence and cost
savings is important.
Patricia Finder-Stone, AARP Wisconsin State President added “AARP has 755,000 members in
Wisconsin, many of whom have elderly family members, or who will benefit themselves from the
expansion of home and community based services. I thank Governor Doyle and the entire
legislature for supporting this vital legislation.”