I send thanks to Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn for supporting Maine’s seniors and disabled.

As a registered nurse, I have seen firsthand that home health services for seniors and disabled have been severely underfunded. That makes it difficult to employ and retain quality people to serve these citizens.

Sen. Brakey, as chairman for the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, made fixing the problem one of his top priorities. Thanks to his leadership and support, the Legislature found $4 million in funding to help close the gap. Best of all, it was done without any additional costs to taxpayers.

There is still more work to be done to properly fund services for Maine’s seniors and disabled, but this is an important start. As long as Sen. Brakey is able to continue advocating for seniors and the disabled in Augusta, I am confident progress will be made.

Karen Gilles, New Gloucester