Offline 
Background
Location:
Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States
Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States
Digital TelevisionLobby Week Promotes Health & Utility Issues with State Lawmakers
Hundreds of AARP members particpated in AARP Pennsylvania’s Lobby Week by calling elected representatives, visiting officials in district offices or traveling to Harrisburg. By week’s end, AARP raised its visibility with lawmakers and made a strong case for our legislative agenda issues at a time when the governor and general assembly are negotiating the 2009-10 state budget.
The highlight of lobby week was a whirlwind day at the state capitol where volunteers encouraged lawmakers to advance several healthcare reform issues. At a noontime rally, more than 300 older adults from throughout the state chanted “There’s No Place Like Home,”and asked legislators to use some of an estimated $200 million surplus in the state lottery fund to eliminate waiting lists for senior home and community care programs. In her remarks, state Volunteer President Estella Hyde reminded lawmakers that the lottery surplus must be used for programs benefiting older residents and can address documented needs without tax dollars or directly impacting the state’s General Fund spending plan currently being negotiated.
Just one hour later, volunteers attended a news conference where Governor Ed Rendell announced plans to increase income limits for Pennsylvania’s lottery-funded prescription drug program serving seniors, which would add an estimated 30,000 older adults. While the proposal will require legislation, it comes at a time when many other states are making program cuts or reducing benefits.
Finally, the branded volunteers helped form a backdrop at an afternoon rotunda news conference with our Pennsylvania Health Access Network partner. AARP officials spoke at the event and urged legislators to approve bills that would use federal funds to expand enrollment in the state’s adultBasic insurance program and increase capacity at community-based health clinics.
The following day, a second team of volunteers visited more than 240 capitol legislative offices to drop off light bulb stress balls and discuss the need for mitigating expiring electricity rate caps.
With lawmakers still negotiating the 2009-10 state budget, it’s not too late for you to get involved. Please call your state Senators and Representatives this month on our Toll-free hotline at 1-800-515-8134.
There are no comments for this item.
journal Details
Added: Jun 16, 2009
Views: 116
Comments: 0
Bookmarks: 0
Views: 116
Comments: 0
Bookmarks: 0
Groups
No groups selected.
Tags
No tags selected.
