Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
On the Elderly
Adopted by the CCAR at the 95th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Grossingers, New York, June 18-21, 1984
Be it resolved
that the Central Conference of American Rabbis:
1. Call upon the Administration to reconsider its fiscal recommendations in the areas
of food stamps, low-income weatherization, and low-income home energy assistance,
because its proposed cuts in those programs would substantially undermine the financial
security of the elderly. This important aid program should also be maintained as its
policy by future administrations.
2. Oppose in particular the President’s proposals to eliminate the statutory priority
for the elderly in these programs.
3. Urge the federal and state governments to provide financial assistance to communities
that develop local programs to combat crime and violence.
4. Call upon the United States Congress to reject that part of the President’s budget
proposal for the Medicare program which would increase beneficiary out-of-pocket
costs for short-term hospitalization for the twenty-six million elderly Americans
now covered.
5. Call upon Congress and State Legislatures to increase the appropriations for housing
units for the elderly.
6. Call upon the federal, state, and local governments to effect comprehensive nursing-home
reform as necessary to eliminate the problems of warehousing, malnutrition, over-medication,
and inadequate supervision. Adequate funding for in-home support services should be provided to allow for elderly who wish to live at home to be able to
do so.
7. Call upon state and local governments to consider work, volunteer, and educational
options and opportunities to encourage older adult participation in, and contribution
to, American society.