UJC Washington promotes the interests and concerns of the United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization uniting 155 Jewish Federations and 400 independent communities, to members of Congress and the Administration. UJC Washington works to ensure that the voice of the Jewish Federations is a prominent force in health and human service policy decisions.

UJC Washington advocates on issues of concern to the Jewish federations including long-term care and prescription drug benefits for Jewish elderly, assistance to Jewish families at risk, and strengthening the capacity of the not-for-profit sector. Following are just some example of how UJC Washington promotes the interests of the Jewish Federations system in Washington, D.C.

Medicaid

Many of our Federations and agencies rely on Medicaid (the federal-state partnership program that provides healthcare for low-income Americans) funding to serve the low-income elderly. Most Jewish nursing homes receive at least half of their income from the Medicaid program. With states facing record deficits, these services and their recipients are vulnerable. UJC Washington was a major player in the successful effort to provide $20 billion in new funds for state fiscal relief with half of these funds used to shore up the Medicaid program. This increase in federal dollars, known as FMAP, expires June 30, 2004.  With more cuts to the Medicaid program looming, UJC Washington is working to extend the FMAP increase. In addition, UJC will work to avert any proposals to turn Medicaid into a capped block grant to the states, which could result in significant cutbacks in Medicaid funds.

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

The Jewish community has a higher percentage of elderly than the general population and is facing the challenges of providing care for seniors.  Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) are residential housing developments to which people moved decades ago and where they desire to continue living independently even as they grow frail. Close to 30 percent of the senior population lives in what can be described as NORCs nationwide. In order to remain independent in their homes and to avoid costly institutionalization, our elderly require supportive services. The National NORCs Aging in Place Initiative is a program initiated by UJC to assist Federations, through federal seed grants, to develop innovative programming to help NORC residents maintain their independence, security, dignity and quality of life. UJC is working to continue and expand Federal appropriations for NORCs.

Homeland Security Funding

Security costs for Federations and agencies within the Jewish community have increased tremendously since 9/11. UJC is assembling a coalition of national non-profits to seek establishment of a Federal grant program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, to provide security-upgrade grants to non-profit/communal institutions deemed to be at high risk of terrorist attacks.

Senior Transportation

Rapidly responding to the growing need in our communities, UJC Washington established itself as a national leader on senior transportation issues. UJC Washington convened and is leading the efforts of over 40 national organizations, fighting tooth and nail to provide elderly with accessible and affordable transportation. UJC Washington and the coalition continues to advocate for increased funding for our national system of senior transportation in connection with the 2004 reauthorization of the Federally funded transit and highway  programs.

Tax Incentives for Philanthropic Giving / Social Services Block Grant

The President's "Faith-based Initiative," which we expect to be an Administration priority in 2004, includes legislation (known as the CARE Act) that would provide for new tax incentives for charitable giving (IRA charitable rollovers, and tax deductibility for non-itemizers). Federation endowment professionals believe that the IRA Rollover proposal could increase endowments by hundreds of millions of dollars. The Senate version of the CARE Act also includes $1.4 billion for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program that is a key source of funding for Jewish family, children and vocational agencies.  SSBG funds a myriad of programs including adult day care, childcare, and transportation for all age groups. UJC Washington is working for enactment of the charitable giving provisions, and retention of the SSBG funding.

Advocacy in Washington

To learn about the latest developments on Capitol Hill and take action, visit our Online Advocacy Center.

Every year UJC Washington brings hundreds of volunteer and professional leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C. Participants of UJC's Washington Missions Program come from far and near to tell their representatives about concerns facing their local communities. UJC's online advocacy center keeps our communities in touch with the latest legislative developments after they leave town and allows them to keep pressure on their elected members by writing letters. These organized grassroots advocacy efforts ensure that the Jewish Federation system's priorities are visible in the nation's capital.