Dant Chesser shares concerns of senior community after town hall

Last week, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) hosted a town hall to discuss the PathWays for Aging program and other concerns seniors in Southern Indiana are facing. The PathWays Waiver program has a waiting list, with 9,248 seniors currently waiting. Despite the number of open slots exceeding the number of people on the waitlist, thousands of seniors have been left without insurance to pay for vital services. Seniors also shared their concerns about high property taxes and income taxes on social security and pensions. 

Dant Chesser released the following statement after hearing from the community: 

“It’s a difficult, stressful time for many seniors in Southern Indiana. Last week, I held a town hall in Jeffersonville to hear their concerns.  Our seniors on fixed incomes are struggling with rising property tax increases, health care services and more. Our older neighbors on fixed incomes have little to no breathing room after they pay their bills. 

“Their worries have been amplified with the waiver waitlist for Medicaid’s PathWays for Aging program. Thousands of applicants are going without services, which is causing additional stress for them and their caregivers. This affects their in-home nurses and other essential services they need. I’m worried some may be forced to move while waiting on their benefits from this program. 

“Any senior who wants to age comfortably in their home should be able to make that choice. Hoosiers who have worked hard their whole lives deserve our support. The current issues facing our senior population are deeply concerning, and I look forward to discussing potential solutions at the Statehouse.”