At Vibrant Emotional Health, we advocate for equitable health and wellness services for all New Yorkers, especially older adults who contribute immeasurably to the fabric of our state. Today, I write with profound disappointment and urgency regarding the recently adopted New York State budget.

This year, New York faced a critical opportunity to affirm its commitment to the well-being of its rapidly aging population, which now accounts for nearly one in five state residents. Vibrant Emotional Health, alongside our partners, including LiveOn NY and more than 100 other aging services organizations, fought for more than $50 million to eliminate waitlists for essential home and community-based services. These services are lifelines for seniors, providing everything from in-home care to delivered meals, ensuring that they can live with dignity in their communities.

Despite clear and pressing needs, and a legislative proposal that included $41 million to address these concerns, the final budget allocated only $700K additional funds to address a $40M deficit facing waitlists for aging services. The adopted budget starkly contrasts with the staggering total expenditure of more than $230 billion–the largest budget passed in New York.

As a result, 18,000 older New Yorkers remain stranded on waiting lists for basic services — lists that are only growing longer. This negligence not only jeopardizes the health and independence of older citizens but also places undue stress on family caregivers, who are often the unsung heroes in our long-term care system. By underinvesting in the older adult population, we’re preventing people from aging in place. Moreover, this shortfall in funding can exacerbate mental health challenges among older adults, who may suffer increased loneliness, depression, and anxiety due to reduced access to community services.

We believe that every individual deserves respect and support at every stage of life, and we are deeply troubled by the state’s retreat from this principle. We will continue to advocate for the necessary funding to erase these waitlists and support our older adults in living full, vibrant lives. We call on Governor Hochul and state legislators to reconsider their approach and to correct this oversight in future budgets. The health and future of New York depend on it.