8,000 CONCERNED NEW YORKERS CALL ON ERIC ADAMS TO INVEST $622 MILLION FOR AGING SERVICES IN CITY BUDGET

NEW YORK, NY — Today, LiveOn NY was joined by advocacy groups and seniors across New York to hand-deliver a petition to Mayor Eric Adams calling on the Mayor to invest $622 million for aging services in the city budget. The petition, which earned almost 8,000 signatures in less than a week, calls for renewed investments in the city’s network of Older Adult Centers, as well as an expanded social safety net for seniors and dedicated funds to ensure seniors have access to food.

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“In the face of devastating federal cuts to Medicaid and social programs, Mayor Eric Adams must use this year’s budget to deliver critical funding for our city’s aging services,” said Kevin Kiprovski, LiveOn NY Director of Public Policy. “Seniors are facing impossibly high costs, from medicine to groceries — and it’s only getting worse. As the federal government moves to take millions of dollars in healthcare funding away, potentially devastating the over 57 percent of New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid, Mayor Adams must stand up for New York’s older adults. Over 7,000 of us have called on Mayor Adams to invest $622 million in making the lives of our seniors easier; now, it’s on him to listen.”

“New York City’s older adult services are essential for the health, independence, and well-being of hundreds of thousands of older adults,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York. “More than 5,000 petitions make one thing clear: New Yorkers are demanding action. From expanded home-delivered meals to adequate case management and safe, modern Older Adult Centers, this $622 million investment is about ensuring our city meets the needs of a rapidly growing aging population. The Mayor must act now to build a city where every New Yorker can age with dignity.”

“Every New Yorker deserves to age with stability and dignity in their community. Investments in aging services are essential. It’s critical for Mayor Adams to invest in and expand older adult centers and case management services and address food insecurity,” said Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses. “UNH is proud to stand with older adults, including those from the settlement house network in the AgeStrong NYC campaign as we fight for these vital investments.”