PRESIDENT BUSH UNVEILS 2003 BUDGET

On February 4, President Bush unveiled his proposed FFY 2003 budget.  The following analysis was provided by Sandra Longworth, NYSOFA Federal Relations and the AoA Budget Division: 

As noted in the budget section for the Department of Health and Human Services, the proposed level of funding "will provide continued funding for core formula grant programs that provide nutrition, supportive services and caregiver support services through the aging network. 

The President's FY 2003 budget request includes a proposal to transfer the Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding of the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) to AoA under Titles III-C1, II-C2, and VI.  In FY 2003, NSIP funds are distributed across the three AoA nutrition programs on a pro-rata basis. This is not new money.  Moreover, if the dollars are distributed by 60+ population and not on a per meal reimbursement basis, it would be harmful to NYS. The budget proposes $492 million for Title III-C-1, Congregate Meals, and $225 million for Title II-C-2, Home Delivered Meals.   

There was an increase of $2 million for Title VI, Grants to Indian Tribes.  These increases were offset by a $10 million decrease to Title IV, Training, Research and Discretionary Projects, which reflected a shift in funding dollars from Title IV to Title II.  

Title V, the Community Service Employment for Older Americans, funded in the Department of Labor budget, received a decrease of $4.9 million (1 percent).  Basically, Title V went from $445.1 million to $440,200,000, the funding level prior to the FFY 2002 increase. 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was reduced by $300 million.  The regular LIHEAP appropriation of $1.7 billion for FFY 2002 was reduced by $300 million to $1.4 billion.  The emergency funding remained at $300 million. 

The Social Services Block Grant remained at $1.7 billion.

 A summary of President Bush's budget recommendations for AoA follows.

                                                                  (in millions of dollars)

The original document can be found at: http://frwebgate4.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=93713226368+13+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve