AARP Online Community: AARPmo - My Journals & Blogs

AARP Driver Safety Program has new 4-hour course

Quick! How far must you stop behind a school bus with flashing lights? Where should you place your hands on the steering wheel? How far from the steering wheel should you sit?

If you have forgotten the answers to these questions or think they haven’t changed since you first got your driver’s license, you are a prime candidate for the AARP Driver Safety Program’s new 4-hour course.

Over the past 30 years, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants seeking to refresh their driving skills. Now the course is available in Missouri in a new 4-hour version. Learn how best to reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries; update your knowledge of recent changes in laws and car design; develop safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes. The new 4-hour course also stresses the importance of periodically monitoring your own and your loved ones’ driving capabilities. An exhaustive workbook offers self tests and quick tips to challenge any complacency that has crept into your driving over the years.

In Missouri, 4-hour courses now being offered at various sites across the state. For more information and a class locator link, go to the Driver Safety Program webpage

Added: April 8, 2009
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Advocacy Update 4-6-09

State Issues:

Utilities

Senate Bill 228 was voted "do pass" from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy, and the Environment, Tuesday, March 31^st, at 1:00 PM.

The Committee Substitute is almost identical to the House version of the bill, which includes very few protections for consumers.

AARP volunteers rallied in front of AmerenUE's St. Louis headquarters this morning. Several members of the St. Louis press were there and the story is currently on the St. Louis Business Journal website - http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/04/06/daily6.html

Budget

The Budget bills are currently being debated in the Senate Appropriations Committee. There has been discussion around increasing funding to healthcare, home delivered meals and home and community based services. We will continue to track these line items as the Budget moves closer to a floor vote.

Health Care

The Senate has shown some interest in expanding Medicaid coverage through either the Governor's proposal or the proposal contained within SB 306, authored by Senator Dempsey.

Voting Rights

HJR 9 , the Photo Voter resolution remains in the House Election Committee. A new committee substitute has been distributed that includes early voting, but photo ID requirements remain unchanged.

It has been made clear to several members of the committee that this would not be an adequate compromise, since it would still disenfranchise many registered voters.

Added: April 7, 2009
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Advocacy Update 3-30-09

State Issues:

Utilities

Senate Bill 228 will be heard in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy, and the Environment, Tuesday, March 31^st, at 1:00 PM. Anyone who lives mid-state and is available is encouraged to attend this hearing. Please bring your AARP shirts if you have one, if not, we will have some available for volunteers who attend.

The Committee will most likely vote on a bill that will be almost identical to the House version of the bill , which includes very few protections for consumers.

The Fair Electricity Rate Action Fund – of which AARP is a member – has launched a public awareness campaign around the CWIP issue. Television ads, tele-town halls, robo-calls, and emails continue to go out urging Missourians to oppose this legislation.

Budget

The Budget bills were voted out of the House on Thursday of last week. Several amendments were adopted on the floor including several amendments to increase funding to the Area Agencies on Aging for home delivered meals.

Other amendments included increases to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Health Care

Governor Jay Nixon has proposed increasing eligibility for Medicaid to 50% of the Federal Poverty Level for working adults. He has secured funding for the state match from health care providers who pay FRA (Federal Reimbursement Allowance) also known as the provider tax. This increase in the FRA will allow the state to expand coverage without spending any more General Revenue.

The House last week voted against the Governor’s health care proposal in the Budget, however, there seems to be more support for the program in the Senate. We will continue to track this program as the Budget moves through the Senate and Conference Committee.

TABOR

House Joint Resolution 23 , the TABOR amendment, has been passed by the House and sent over to the Senate. The resolution has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. This is a good sign since the committee is chaired by Senator Vogel , who opposed the legislation last session.

Non-Partisan Courts

The House Special Committee on General Laws passed House Joint Resolution 10 last week. This legislation would give the Governor considerably more control over the judicial selection process, making the process more partisan. The resolution could be heard on the floor as early as this week.

Voting Rights

HJR 9 , the Photo Voter resolution remains in the House Election Committee. The Democratic members of the committee have requested that the resolution receive a new hearing since the committee substitute is significantly different from the resolution that was heard several weeks ago.

Added: March 30, 2009
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No Free Lunch - Especially at Tax Time

Buyer Beware: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Especially at Tax Time

Help Fight Investment Fraud in Missouri

Americans are often bombarded by junk mail; unwanted phone calls during dinnertime, and, in many cases, with “free lunch” investment seminar invitations. This is particularly true during tax season when the invitations promise no risk investments and ways to avoid all taxes. Although many of these seminars sell legitimate products, there have been far too many reports of people being scammed out of their life savings.

AARP, in collaboration with the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), is working diligently to fight consumer fraud by encouraging individuals to join the Free Lunch Monitor program. Hundreds of people have already joined this national campaign to help monitor free lunch investment seminars.

By becoming a Free Lunch Monitor, you can help to fight fraud in Missouri. If you plan to attend a seminar, take the “What to Listen for Checklist” and report your findings to AARP. We are sharing this information with securities regulators nationwide. Please visit the web site www.aarp.org/nofreelunches to download the checklist and help make the market place safer for all investors.

Added: March 25, 2009
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Ann Baines Article: Aging in Place Gracefully

New statistics indicate that more than 80 percent of American seniors desire to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives. And it’s no surprise why. For adults of all ages, a home represents a secure, familiar environment filled with memories. But for older adults, a home also serves as a symbol of independence and plays a key role in enhancing quality of life. While the benefits of remaining close to familiar surroundings and precious memories abound, it’s important to remember that aging in place requires planning in order to navigate the physical, mental and psychological changes that can accompany growing older. Luckily, today’s home health professionals and emerging technologies are joining forces to help seniors stay safe and healthy in their homes.

As growing numbers of seniors make the choice to live at home, home health aides and Geriatric Care Managers can serve as invaluable resources for family caregivers if and when they determine their aging loved needs additional help at home. Warning signs that can indicate the need for assistance at home include changes in eating habits or personal hygiene, frequent falls or loss of balance, decreased interest in social activities and signs of memory loss like forgetting to take medications, turn off the stove or remembering important dates or names.

Home health aides can assist with bathing and grooming and other activities of daily living; help with nutrition, medication and diabetic management; perform housekeeping chores; run errands or provide transportation or escort services; and offer companionship. Geriatric Care Managers (GCM) can make a profession assessment of an older adult’s condition, connect family members with care services, help them find community resources, hire and supervise home help, if needed, and serve as an overall source of information for caregivers. GCMs can also play an important role in helping caregivers identify when more comprehensive in-home care may be needed for an aging loved one, or if a move into an independent, assisted or skilled nursing environment might be more appropriate.

Advances in technology are also being developed with the goal of helping older adults remain happy and healthy in their own homes longer. Among them is a device called “Quiet Care” which is designed to track seniors when they are home alone. The small, motion-detecting senor monitors movements and gathers information which is to a computer where a caretaker can track it to see how much movement there has been in a person’s bathroom, bedroom, living room, refrigerator and medicine box. Other new technologies being developed include electronic beds that light up when a senior gets up during the night; an ‘auto-minder’ which can recognize when a person is eating and remind them of which medications they need to take with their meal; floors with sensors that check a senior’s gait and sound an alarm if they fall; beds that monitor pulse and breathing and computer or TV reminders to take medications.

Now more than ever before, seniors are making their preferences to remain at home clear. And as they do, the medical world is responding to their needs. Embracing the latest health care technology or enlisting the help of a trained home health provider, can make the golden years more independent ones for today’s seniors, and more fulfilling ones as they remain close to people, places and things they love and cherish the most.

Ann Bannes is the vice president of home and community-based services for the St. Andrew’s At-Home Services, a St. Louis-based non-profit organization that services the needs of the elderly and their caregivers.

Added: March 23, 2009
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Jim Clemmons of Battlefield Appointed New State President

James (Jim) B. Clemmons Sr., a resident of Battlefield, MO, was recently appointed State President for AARP Missouri, a two-year renewable volunteer position. State Presidents provide a leadership voice on behalf of the volunteers in Missouri and is a key leadership partner with the AARP Missouri State Director. In his new position, Clemmons will work in collaboration with AARP Missouri volunteers and staff to achieve the AARP vision, mission and strategic priorities.

Prior to becoming the State President, Clemmons has been very active in a number of AARP activities and programs. He is a member of the Springfield-Ozarks AARP Chapter #122, an instructor for the AARP Safe Driver Program, and most recently was the 7^th Congressional District Regional Volunteer Team Leader for Advocacy. Clemmons is a member of Battlefield’s Board of Adjustments and serves as a member of the Staff Pastor Relations Committee at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield. He is a member of the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging Advisory Council and a past chair and member of the City of Battlefield’s Economic Development Commission.

Prior to retirement, Clemmons was president of Ohse Foods based in Topeka, KS where under his leadership the business grew from a $78 million to over $200 million enterprise and expanded its reach from six states to 38 states. Prior to leading the Fortune 500 Company, Clemmons held executive level positions at Hudson Foods in Rogers, AR; Armour Food Company in Omaha, NE; and Cudahy Foods in Phoenix, AZ.

Clemmons received a B.S. degree from the University of Phoenix and MBA from Webster University (Webster Groves, MO campus).

As Volunteer State President, Clemmons will work under the direction of the Regional Volunteer Director, and directly with a team of AARP Missouri Executive Council members comprised of volunteers from across the state. Clemmons will be the principal AARP volunteer spokesperson for Missouri and help build community networks and community partnerships across the state with other organizations and key decision makers to further AARP’s goals.

“I’m very excited to assume this new assignment with AARP,” Clemmons said. “I look forward to furthering the mission and vision of this fine organization that strives to enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families.”

Clemmons is clearly looking forward to making a difference in the lives of AARP members and all Missourians. “Most of my success came from being associated with good people who knew how to make positive things happen,” Clemmons said. “I’ll be working with an excellent team of volunteers and staff to attain that result in a great organization.”

Added: March 18, 2009
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Missouri Advocacy Update 3-12-09

State Issues:

Utilities

One of the largest issues AARP Missouri has been dealing with this session is legislation called Construction Work In Progress (CWIP). These bills, SB 228 and HB 554 , would allow large electric utilities to increase their rates between 29%-40%.

In this current economic crisis, it is not the time to increase rates on consumers for the hope of jobs more than 10 years in the future.

These bills have become somewhat of a moving target as the Senate and House jockey to position themselves to make the final compromises on the legislation.

Health Care

Governor Jay Nixon has proposed increasing eligibility for Medicaid to 50% of the Federal Poverty Level for working adults. He has secured funding for the state match from health care providers who pay FRA (Federal Reimbursement Allowance) also known as the provider tax. This increase in the FRA will allow the state to expand coverage without spending any more General Revenue.

Senate Bill 306 , sponsored by Senator Dempsey, is currently being considered in the Senate. This bill would disregard “earned income” for working adults up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level for purposes of Medicaid coverage. For people over the eligibility level, there would be Health Savings Accounts (HSA) plans.

HSA plans are a concern for AARP, since they often don’t work for lower income families, the plans included in the Committee Substitute are not strict HSA plans since they do cover preventive care without cost to their savings accounts and there would be extra financial benefits for consumers who fulfill their obligations for preventive care.

The sponsor has shown interest in working with the Advocacy community on any drafting changes.

TABOR

House Joint Resolution 23, the TABOR amendment, would amend the Missouri Constitution to severely limit expansions in state spending which could severely cut eligibility for healthcare, diminish state infrastructure, and hurt education.

Most damaging, however, is that the constitutional amendment does not consider federal funds, such as the economic recovery package, so while other states in the nation will ride out this economic downturn and then shift funds back to general revenue, Missouri will be stuck with a $1 billion budget cut.

In the House, HJR 23 passed by one vote. It will now move to the Sentate.

Budget

The Supplemental Budget was passed by the House and Senate without the Governor’s request for enhancements to Children’s Health Insurance or the appropriation line for the Federal Economic Stimulus funds. Removal of the Economic Stimulus line has caused the Missouri Department of Transportation to stop construction on several projects that were dependant on these funds. The Senate may reconsider its vote on the Supplemental to restart these projects.

The FY10 Budget Bills have now passed the House Budget Committee. House Bills 10 and 11 included severe cuts to Social Services, Senior Services, and Mental Health. After nearly 100 amendments were offered in committee, several line items were restored within the Budget. Grants to assist with support for people living with Alzheimer’s were restored to the Governor’s request and funding for home delivered meals which was originally cut by over $2.6 million has had $500,000 restored.

An amendment by Representative Chris Kelley would have implemented the Governor’s health care expansion using FRA funds instead of General Revenue, but was voted down along party lines.

Non-Partisan Courts

Missouri was the first state to pass the Non-Partisan Court Plan. Often called the Missouri Plan, this plan for selecting judges helped to remove political influence from the court system. A panel of legal experts examine the qualifications of each applicant and then select a slate of candidates for the Governor’s consideration.

There are two resolutions in the Missouri General Assembly that would allow the Governor to have more influence over the selection of judges. House Joint Resolution 10 and Senate Joint Resolution 9 would allow the Governor to select more of the members of the panel selecting the candidates and allow him to turn down an entire slate and require another to be selected. These changes could allow less qualified, but more politically popular candidates to be selected as judges.

Housing

AARP spoke in favor of Senator Jolie Justus’ House Bill 268 to fully fund the Missouri Housing Trust Authority. The Missouri Housing Trust is the only mechanism in State Government to address the foreclosure crisis in our state.

Many community advocates from organizations ranging from Catholic Charities to the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the bill. Opposition came from Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Home Builders. There seemed to be support among the Committee members for the bill.

Voting Rights

HJR 9 , sponsored by Representative Cox, would require that voters in Missouri show a state issued photo identification before being allowed to vote. According to estimates by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, this resolution could disenfranchise as many as 240,000 legal voters. People without a recognized birth certificate or who do not drive are often left without a state photo id.

A new committee substitute for the joint resolution will be filed by Representative Cox after spring break that includes the protections included in the previously passed legislation that was ruled unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Federal Issues:

Since the beginning of the new Congress, AARP has successfully worked on passage of the Economic Recovery Package which will allow states to keep their budgets afloat and give tax benefits to seniors.

AARP was also successful in urging passage of the CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) Reauthorization. This new package will encourage states to enroll more eligible children in their programs and increase the federal match for these programs.

Added: March 12, 2009
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Missouri Advocacy Update 3-2-09

State Issues:

Utilities

The House Bill 554 , the House CWIP legislation, will be heard in the House Utilities Committee again this week. The Senate Utilities Committee will hear their version of the bill again next week. We are currently working on an action alert that will go out to our members asking them to take action once again.

Low-Income Issues

Last week, AARP spoke in favor of Senator Jolie Justus’ Earned Income Tax Credit legislation, SB 105. There wasn’t much support among the committee members, but this issue has not even had a hearing in many years.

TABOR

TABOR appears to have been stalled for the time being. Many AARP E-Activists have called their representatives urging them to oppose this legislation. The House Rules Committee recommended the bill receive unlimited time on the floor, but it has yet to come up for a vote.

Voting Rights

The hearing on HJR 9 , sponsored by Representative Cox, the Photo Voter bill, was concluded last week. The committee will most likely pass the resolution some time in the next few weeks. We will keep you updated on the progress of this legislation.

Budget

The Supplemental Budget was passed by the House Budget Committee last week without the increased funding for Children’s Healthcare or the line item for the Economic Recovery Package funds. Several members of the committee voiced their concern about the budget bill passing without these funds but in the end, the majority of the committee voted “do pass”.

The FY10 Budget Bills should begin to be introduced this week. We will monitor this legislation and keep you posted.

Health Care

Senate Bill 306, sponsored by Senator Dempsey, will be heard this week. We have heard that the bill was improperly drafted and that there will be many changes in committee. This legislation could be a valuable vehicle for Medicaid expansion in the state – especially for non-disabled adults.

Federal Issues:

President Obama has now released his budget resolution for the rest of this fiscal year. Included within the budget are significant changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Many of these changes are still being studied by researchers at AARP, but we do believe that changes to the programs are needed. The resolution also includes over $600 billion for healthcare reform. While we are unsure of the actual policies that will be included once the final package passes, we also believe that this is a positive step for the country.

Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas has been appointed Director of Health and Human Services.

Added: March 3, 2009
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Misssouri Advocacy Update 02-23-09

State Issues:

Utilities

The House Bill 554 , the House CWIP legislation, was heard last week in the House Utilities Committee. A letter to the editor by Interim Volunteer State President Carlene Davis, opposing CWIP, was also run in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week.

Low-Income Issues

Last week, House Bill 156, sponsored by Representative Nance, was heard in the Senior Citizen Advocacy Committee. This legislation is similar to bills in previous sessions that would allow for a supplement to food stamps for people over the age of 65.

There’s also a new buzz in the Capitol about beginning an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in Missouri. The EITC is an effective way of moving people out of poverty by focusing tax cuts toward the lowest-income tax payers.

TABOR

The House Budget Committee passed House Joint Resolution 23 out of committee last week. In discussions with several members of the House Majority, there seems to be the will to move the resolution out of the House as quickly as possible. We are working on a strategy to deal with this issue both in the House and later in the Senate.

We believe that we would have to convince 10 House Republicans to vote against the resolution if we are to stall it in the House.

Voting Rights

HJR 9 , sponsored by Representative Cox, is similar to the Photo ID bill that he sponsored last session. This Constitutional Amendment would require that voter show a form of state or federal issued photo identification before being allowed to vote. AARP opposed this legislation last session and will do so again. Last week’s hearing on this bill was suspended due to timing constraints on the committee. The hearing will continue on Tuesday.

Budget

Chairman Allen Icet stated in committee last week that he will be bringing up the Supplemental Budget this week. Included in the Governor’s Supplemental was increased funding for CHIP outreach and enrollment. These provisions would allow the State of Missouri to take full advantage of the CHIP Reauthorization just passed by Congress. Once introduced, the Supplemental Budget will be given the number HB 14.

Federal Issues:

Now that the Economic Recovery Package has passed, AARP is pushing forward with a call for national health care reform. The CEO’s of the lead partners in Divided We Fail have sent a letter to President Obama and Members of Congress asking them to focus on health care reform.

Added: February 23, 2009
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Missouri Advocacy Update 2-16-09

State Issues:

Utilities

The Senate CWIP bill SB 228, was heard last week. Due to the efforts of several industrial customers, and through AARP’s contacts with legislators, there seems to be less support for this legislation that there was earlier in the session.

The House Bill HB 554, will be heard this Tuesday, the 17^th in the House Utilities Committee. The Speaker of the House has stated that he doesn’t believe that there is enough support to pass the bill this session.

TABOR

The House Budget Committee heard House Joint Resolution 23 this week. More than 10 organizations, including AARP, spoke against the resolution and only two spoke in favor. In discussions with several members of the House Majority, there seems to be the will to move the resolution out of the House as quickly as possible.

Health Care

Last week, the House Minority held a meeting with several health advocates on Friday. The House Minority Caucus seems interested in hearing our ideas for expansion of Medicaid and our strategies moving forward.

Voting Rights

Two bills concerning voting will be heard on Tuesday, HB 59, sponsored by Representative Corcoran, would allow voters to cast early ballots. The Secretary of State’s office supports the legislation as the most cost effective way to reduce the long lines seen at polling places in the last election.

HJR 9, sponsored by Representative Cox, is similar to the Photo ID bill that he sponsored last session. This Constitutional Amendment would require that voter show a form of state or federal issued photo identification before being allowed to vote. AARP opposed this legislation last session and will do so again.

Budget

The House Appropriations Subcommittees continue to discuss the FY10 Budget. There are several issues left to discuss in the FY09 Budget, but the bill has not yet been introduced.

Federal Issues:

The Federal Economic Recovery Package has been passed by both Houses of Congress.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization has been passed. There are several provisions that Missouri should be able to take advantage of that will secure more federal funds in the future.

Added: February 17, 2009
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