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Dan Attacks Again

Behind in every poll, Onorato’s desperation has finally led him to lash out with outrageous claims distorting Tom Corbett’s well-established record of protecting seniors and fighting to keep healthcare accessible in Pennsylvania.  Dan Onorato’s current baseless, irresponsible attacks cite no sources whatsoever because they are completely fabricated.  Find the truth below.

Claim #1:  Tom’s plan could slash Meals on Wheels.  False.

• Meals on Wheels is not a state program and the funding comes from a variety of sources depending on the specific program but the vast majority of funding comes from the federal government with the local share, if existent, mostly coming from either Lottery funds or private organizations.  Tom Corbett is committed to protecting the viability of the lottery fund and those services it funds.
• Backup from Corbett Seniors policy:  As Governor, Tom Corbett will ensure that lottery funds are exclusively used for the benefits and rights of older Pennsylvanians. The lottery fund is a vital source of funding for important senior programs and initiatives, such as PACE, property tax and rent rebates, free and reduced fare rides, abuse protection, family caregiver support, congregate and home delivered meals, senior community centers and health and wellness programs.

 Claim #2:  Tom’s plan may cut home healthcare.  FALSE

• In Tom’s policy plan to protect Pennsylvania senior citizens he explicitly highlights his support for the long term care system including specifically home healthcare.  He is committed to meeting the needs of our seniors including their preference where care is provided. 
• Backup from Corbett Senior’s policy:  As Governor, Tom Corbett will work to ensure that older Pennsylvanians get the care and services they need in the setting that is consistent with their needs and preference.  He will look to rebalance Medicaid spending and consider using lottery fund surpluses to support home-based institutional care to provide access to safe and appropriate care and services.

 Claim #3:  Tom’s plan may stop Alzheimer’s Outreach.  FALSE

• Tom Corbett has expressed his support for the Department of Aging where such services are organized and nowhere has any suggestion been made on altering these very important and vital programs.  Alzheimer’s Outreach is funded through the Lottery Fund and supplemented by a federal grant.  He has been crystal clear on protecting the integrity of the Lottery Fund that provides funding for this and many other senior programs.
• Backup from Corbett Healthcare policy:  Tom Corbett will work to protect the integrity of the Lottery Fund to ensure that the funds raised go to meet unmet care and service needs for seniors as intended.
• Backup from Seniors policy:  As Governor, Tom Corbett will ensure that the Department of Aging will remain an independent, cabinet-level department as created in 1979. Tom Corbett does not support merging the Department of Aging with sub-agencies within the Department of Public Welfare as proposed by the current Administration.  As Governor, Tom Corbett will ensure that lottery funds are exclusively used for the benefits and rights of older Pennsylvanians. The lottery fund is a vital source of funding for important senior programs and initiatives, such as PACE, property tax and rent rebates, free and reduced fare rides, abuse protection, family caregiver support, congregate and home delivered meals, senior community centers and health and wellness programs.

Claim #4:  Tom’s plan could limit funding for Senior Centers.  False.

• Senior Centers are funded primarily by lottery funds, Tom Corbett has vowed to protect the lottery funds for use exclusively on senior services as it was originally intended, he does not support the proposed merger of the Department of Aging and the Department of Public Welfare primarily to protect the lottery fund and he has called for the release of lottery fund surpluses for more senior services.
• Backup from Corbett Seniors Policy:  As Governor, Tom Corbett will ensure that lottery funds are exclusively used for the benefits and rights of older Pennsylvanians. The lottery fund is a vital source of funding for important senior programs and initiatives, such as PACE, property tax and rent rebates, free and reduced fare rides, abuse protection, family caregiver support, congregate and home delivered meals, senior community centers and health and wellness programs.  Tom Corbett will ensure that the Department of Aging will remain an independent, cabinet-level department as created in 1979. Tom Corbett does not support merging the Department of Aging with sub-agencies within the Department of Public Welfare as proposed by the current Administration. 

Claim #5:  Tom sued to stop Seniors from receiving healthcare.  False.

• Tom Corbett has demonstrated his commitment to seniors through his work as Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement officer including the Attorney General’s Health Care Section saving over $800,000 for seniors since January of 2009 and the Consumer Protection Unit handling over 8,900 complaints and saving more than $1M. 
• In truth, the Federal healthcare legislation fully supported by Dan Onorato massively cuts the Medicare Advantage program for seniors and cuts the Medicare rates of providers that see those very same seniors.  Sources:  DesMoines Register, 10/5;  Business First, 10/1;  CQHealthBeat, 10/5; Reuters 3/22;  Reductions in Medicare Advantage Payments: The Impact on Seniors by Region 9/14