Older Montanans Trust Fund: Senate Debate Today
by: Sen. Carol Williams
We’re going to debate The Older Montanans Trust Fund, SB155, today on the Senate floor.
I am carrying this legislation at the request of Governor Schweitzer. He has recognized that we need long-range planning for an aging population. The Trust will help Montana prepare for the growing demand of senior services.
What does this bill do?
SB155 creates the Older Montanans Trust Fund, a savings account that will help our state prepare for the growing demand of senior services. Interest from the trust fund will be appropriated by the legislature when there is $20 million or by the year 2015.
What will it fund?
By 2015, the trust fund will expand senior services like in-home meals, home health and personal care, support for family caregivers, and transportation services for seniors. With interest from the trust, Montana can look to new innovative programs that will allow all of us to age in our homes and make our communities more livable for seniors.
What is the funding source?
SB155 will start up the trust with one-time funds leftover from the pharmacy assistance programs authorized last session in SB324. DPHHS is still implementing the pharmacy assistance programs and enrolling Montanans in the very confusing world of Medicare Part D. The first priority is to grow and fund the programs under SB324, but while that happens, allocating the ending fund balance to The Older Montanans Trust Fund is a good way to prepare for our aging population.
Why should we do this?
The expected public health care expenditures at the point at which the greatest number of baby boomers reach the age of 75 will be staggering. SB155 is an attempt to help alleviate the burden these expected public expenditures will have on our children, our grandchildren and yes, even our great grandchildren.
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One Response to “Older Montanans Trust Fund: Senate Debate Today”
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I hadn’t heard of this one Carol. Keep us posted.
At my age, I’m closer to caring about this stuff than to thinking I’m going to live forever. So it’s important - and nice to see there’s people out there looking ahead.