MS Home LINKS must be preserved!
Background
Home LINKS is the Greater New England Chapter’s short-term care management program. This program promotes enhanced quality of life and independence for people with MS. In FY’09, this program provided information and referral to 2233 individuals, case management to 112 individuals, and some financial assistance.
Massachusetts state funding for this program is threatened again! In FY'09 the appropriation was $412,368 and was then reduced to $162,368. In FY’10 the appropriation was $162,368, which was then further cut to $112,000 under the governor’s emergency 9C cuts. A cut in state funds affects the number of clients that can be served and impacts the chapter’s overall mission and delivery of programs.
Since Home LINKS is no longer a dedicated stand-alone line item in the budget. As part of another appropriation, there is no guarantee funding will be even reserved for the HOME LINKS program in the upcoming state budget. Get involved!
What You Can Do
- Contact Rep Murphy: The Massachusetts House Budget hearings and vote will be held first. Please contact the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep Charlie Murphy at 617-722-2990. Let his staffer know that you want budget line-item 4513-1111 language for Home LINKS restored and funded in the FY’11 budget.
- Contact Your State Representative: Is your state representative a member of the House Ways and Means? Check the committee listing to find out! If so, please contact them too with the same message.
- Attend MS Action Day: The Massachusetts Senate hearings and vote will be held about the same time as MS Action Day at the State House on May 5th. The focus of the meeting will be Home LINKS. Please plan on attending and meeting with your representative’s office on that date. Register for MS Action Day.