MENA Public Comment Period Now Open

When it comes to federal data collection, current options for self-identification do not address increases in racial diversity, expansion of individuals who identify with more than one race, or changing immigration patterns in the United States.

Specifically, federal government data collection methods currently lack an option for people of Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) descent. Thus, the MENA community is left no choice but to report as "White," despite not sharing the same experiences as White individuals of European descent.

The United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is requesting comment on the proposed addition of a new reporting category for people of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent. The proposal from the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards for revising OMB's 1997 Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15) (62 FR 58782) would improve the quality of race and ethnicity data collected to better serve our communities.

SPD 15 was last revised more than 25 years ago. Since then there have been significant societal, political, economic, and demographic shifts in our nation's population to consider. 

While the proposal would add a separate reporting category for the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population, additional revisions are included in the proposal:

• Add an additional category under the Black or African-American reporting section to allow for descendants of enslaved Americans to identify themselves.

• Add a section to allow for more region-specific data to understand group differences. For example, instead of the entire Asian population falling under an “Asian” category, there will be an opportunity to report the specific country they are from (Japan, Cambodia, China, etc.).

• Add a category to allow for multi-race individuals to properly identify themselves.

Categorizing the more than five million MENA Americans living in the U.S. as "White," leads to underserving and underrepresentation. The Senior Alliance supports efforts to add MENA to the federally recognized demographic categories. To submit a formal comment click here.

Repeal of the Retirement (pension) Tax Sent to Governor for Signature

HB 4001 (CR-1), repealing the Retirement (pension) Tax and increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit, was passed by the State Senate on February 28th and sent to the Governor's desk. Governor Whitmer is expected to sign the bill into law.

Introduced by State Representative Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.), HB 4001 (CR-1)  

would create a four-year phase-out of the tax on retirement income and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit from 6% to 30%.

After being fully phased-in in 2026, residents with retirement income can deduct $42,240 for a single return and $84,480 for a joint return. Repealing the Retirement Tax is projected to save up to $1,000 per year for half a million Michigan households.

Implementation of the increase Earned Income Tax Credit will begin in tax year 2022, with the Michigan Department of Treasury calculating and refunding an amount to qualifying taxpayers.

A summary of the legislation can be found here.

The Retirement (pension) Tax was placed on pensions beginning with the 2012 tax year. The Earned Income Tax Credit was reduced to 6% that same year.

Governor Whitmer's Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

On February 8th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget proposal.

Her budget proposal includes:

• Expanding the Working Families Tax Credit (formerly known as the Earned Income Tax Credit, or ETC), providing 700,000 homes nearly $3,200 combined tax refunds.
• $210.1 million to increase wage support to direct care professionals serving in community based settings, nursing homes, and extended care facilities.
• $150 million for efforts aimed at attracting and establishing a Michigan-based insulin manufacturing facility to lower the cost of insulin while creating new high-skill, high-demand jobs.
• $129.7 million for additional Medicaid health access and equity to improve enrollee access to services.
• $58 million to implement recommendations from the Racial Disparities Task Force, including neighborhood health grants, mobile health units, sickle cell support and more.
• $6.2 million to fund the Medicaid Plan First! program - expanding access to family planning services and cancer screening.

The months-long budget process now commences in the state legislature, with the Appropriations Committees in each legislative chamber holing a series of hearings.

Governor Whitmer must sign the finalized budget by October 1, 2023, which marks the start of FY 2024.

The Senior Alliance will be following the FY 2024 state budget process and advocating on behalf of services that impact older adults.

Dingell Reintroduces Bill Expanding Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the bipartisan Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act, H.R. 244, in early January 2023.

This bill seeks to expand Medicare to cover hearing aids for beneficiaries. Medicare does not currently cover hearing aids, which on average cost $2,500.

Hearing aids are critical for millions of people, especially older adult populations. Hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans and if left untreated can have emotional, social, and medical consequences for older adults.

Permanent Investment into HCBS Bill Introduced

On January 26th, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Better Care Better Jobs Act, SB 100, which includes expanding access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and injured workers while increasing pay and improving benefits for the caregivers who provide this life-sustaining care.

The Better Care Better Jobs Act would enhance Medicaid funding for home care, helping lower the wait list for those to receive care in the environment of their choice. This legislation would also strengthen the caregiving workforce and improve the quality of life for families. The Act would increase payment rates to promote recruitment and retention of direct care workers, resulting in raised wages, and training opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to ensure that older adults have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that meets their needs.

Michigan Senior Advocates Council

The Michigan Senior Advocates Council (MAC) is a group of older adult advocates (delegates) who travel to Lansing monthly and/or meet virtually from across the state. Delegates study older adult issues and inform elected officials devoting a significant portion of each meeting to visiting legislative offices and talking with them and their staff.

MSAC consists of a group of 30 or more older adults appointed by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). They have three things in common:

• Age delegates are 55 and over.
• Ties to Aging Network- many delegates are on AAA's Advisory Council or are AAA Board Members
• Leadership delegates are active in local and state senior groups, understand the aging network and its services, and are recognized as knowledgeable leaders in their communities.

Beyond these similarities, MSAC is a diverse group which cuts across racial, ethnic and economic categories. Delegates hail from big cities and rural communities. In this way, MSAC represents Michigan's diverse senior population. MAC is nonpartisan and does not endorse political candidates.

MSAC has also left its mark on many pieces of legislation benefiting older adults such as elder abuse prevention, nursing home quality regulations, Medicare supplemental insurance standards. patient rights legislation. Blue Cross Blue Shield reform, and guardianship reform. These are but a small sample of MSAC's accomplishments.

MSAC works together with Michigan's 16 AAAs who appoint its members and provide financial and staff support through their statewide association (4AM). If you are interested In applying for MSAC as a delegate for The Senior Alliance, email Emma Olson at eolson@thesenioralliance.org.

"Inside The Senior Alliance" Podcast

Our recent episode features, Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM), and Katie Wendel, Director of Planning and Advocacy at AAA 1-B and facilitator of the Silver Key Coalition. They discuss what might lie ahead in the upcoming Michigan Legislative session regarding aging policy.

To listen, click the button below or search for "The Senior Alliance" to find it on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Stitcher, Google and other podcast platforms. Most episodes are less than 15 minutes long.

The first episode answers the question, "What is The Senior Alliance?" Other installments provide overviews of our programs and services, the Michigan Senior Advocates Council, our Advisory Council, the Meals-on-Wheels Program, Direct Care Workers, Advocacy Overview, State Representative Laurie Pohutsky, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, the Alzheimer's Association of Michigan, AARP of Michigan, Jewish Family Service, our Board of Directors, the Future of Aging, Gerontology, Combating Fiscal Abuse, and Important Legal Documents.



Click the button below to listen via our website.

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Annual Input Survey

Our annual input survey helps us gain input on the needs of our community to help our older and disabled adults live safely, confidently, and age well in the environment of their choice. Responses will influence how federal and state dollars are distributed and prioritized among services and programs for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers.

The survey is completely optional and anonymous. Please click the button below to complete.