For Immediate Release
Contact: Leanne Ricchiuti, Overit for Association for Community Living, 518.222.8073
November 30, 2022
STATEMENT
Association For Community Living Disappointed that Governor Hochul Vetoed Aging in Place Commission Bill
(Albany, N.Y.) – Over the holiday break, the Association for Community Living (ACL) learned that Governor Hochul vetoed the proposed Aging in Place Commission Bill (A10139/S9041).
This bill would establish a temporary commission to study aging in place in mental health housing. ACL proposed the bill earlier this year, and garnered support from Assemblywoman Gunther and Senator Brouk, and many other members and community advocates, when the bill was passed in both houses in May by a near-unanimous vote.
ACL Executive Director, Sebrina Barrett, led the charge in the establishment of this Commission as more and more residents within the mental health housing network are aging and demonstrating increased healthcare needs. She expressed this concern at the Joint Senate &
Assembly Budget Hearing on Mental Hygiene back in February.
“While we’re disappointed that the bill was not signed by the Governor, we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Office of Mental Health to modernize the housing system so that we can address these concerns, because these concerns are not going away; if anything, they will only get worse,” said Barrett.
Barrett continues, “It is important to note that, right now, our residents are experiencing upwards of 166 different medical conditions as they are concurrently navigating better mental health. We recognize that meeting these residents where they are, helping them stay in their homes by aiding them with both their medical and mental health concerns, will require additional state resources. However, time is of the essence. As these residents age, their options are limited because nursing homes are not equipped to treat mental health issues, and they will not admit these residents. There is nowhere else for them to go, other than more costly hospital beds.
This Commission would have examined these situations and developed better avenues for treatment.” Barrett cites a survey from earlier in 2022, that reported the most common conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, COPD, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and dementia are affecting more than 40% of residents, who are aged 55 and older.
ACL will continue to advocate for the people it serves, to find the most efficient and effective ways to find paths to recovery.
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