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Manchester, New Hampshire
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Manchester, New Hampshire
United States
AARP New Hampshire Legislative Summary 2009
AARP New Hampshire
Legislative Summary 2009
AARP New Hampshire is pleased to
report on its legislative activity for the 2009 session. What
follows is a report on the major bills that were followed. Thanks
to our many partners and volunteer advocates, we had many
successes. If you – or someone you know – would
like to be part of our volunteer advocacy team, contact Advocacy
Director Doug McNutt at 866-542 -8168 (toll-free) or
dmcnutt@aarp.org
.
Aging Well and Care over the Long Term
The Budget: HB 1
This was a difficult budget year
due to New Hampshire’s revenue shortfalls and the need to
provide services to many people affected by the recession. AARP
was successful in maintaining full funding in 2010 for senior
volunteer programs (Retired Senior Volunteers Program, Senior
Companions Program and Foster Grandparents Program). This was a
very important achievement as these programs provide over 750,000
hours of volunteers services throughout New Hampshire – to
citizens of all ages -- including delivering Meal on Wheels,
providing respite care, and taking care of children in
after-school programs.. In support of this effort, AARP hosted a
tele-town hall on June 9 that engaged nearly 6,000 members with
over 200 calling their Legislators to ask that these vital
programs be funded.
HB 113: Extending the Moratorium on Nursing Home Beds
HB 113, which had broad support,
maintains the current moratorium on adding new nursing home beds.
This is important part of the goal of promoting home- and
community-based care. Controlling the number of nursing home beds
limits the capacity of nursing homes and allows for more home- and
community-based options. The moratorium helps nursing homes remain
viable by preventing an oversupply of nursing homes beds.
HB 380: Long Term Care Commission
HB 380, AARP’s top
legislative priority, establishes a long-term care commission
along with the creation of a vision and plan for long-term care
services. The Legislature saw the importance of this effort which
resulted in the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Committee retaining the bill in order to act immediately and
create a Long-Term Care Legislative Caucus. The Caucus began its
work in April and will continue throughout the fall. AARP
will work with the Caucus as they address the need for a long-term
care plan as New Hampshire ages.
Health Reform
HB: 542 Health Information Exchange
HB 542, passed this session,
establishes procedures for access to health information through an
electronic health information exchange, allowing health care
providers to disclose information only at the request of the
individual whose records are being disclosed.
HB 619: Medical Records and Patient Information
This bill establishes procedures
for access to health information that is in the possession of
health care providers and business associates of these providers.
Consumer Protection and Financial Security
SB100: Home Improvement Contracts
SB100 was designed to require
contractors to provide written contracts for jobs of $8000 or
more. These contracts would have required information on any down
payments, schedule of work, scope of work and applicable
warranties. This bill passed the Senate but was narrowly defeated
in the House Commerce Committee and on the House Floor. Contractor
fraud is an issue many AARP New Hampshire members feel strongly
about and AARP is exploring ways to bring back similar legislation
next session.
HB279: Alert Program Missing Seniors
HB279 creates an alert program
to help identify and locate seniors and persons with developmental
disabilities within the first few hours they are
missing. This program improves the chances of safely locating
these individuals.
Mobility
HB 282: Medical Advisory Board
AARP believes that additional
testing for drivers should be based on evidence of a problem and
not solely on age. HB282 amended the Medical Advisory Board
statute which advises the Director of Motor Vehicles on medical
conditions related to driving. This was the result of a bill
brought forward last session that would have changed the current
law and required more frequent tests. (New Hampshire is one
of two states that currently tests drivers age 75+.) AARP
continues to oppose arbitrary age restrictions for driver testing.
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Added: Aug 27, 2009
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