AARP Connecticut's 2007 Legislative Agenda
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-02-08 11:29:00-05:00
Rising electric rates, increasing numbers of uninsured and underinsured, more older adults wanting to age at home...AARP Connecticut staff and volunteers have formed an agenda for 2007 state legislative activities.
"The common thread among all the issues on our agenda is that AARP is fighting to ensure that people 50+ are able to afford a basic quality of life," said Bob Hill, chair of AARP Connecticut's Advocacy Leadership Committee.
The 2007 issues are spelled out in our 2006 Voters' Guides. Candidates in more than 100 of the 187 state house and state senate races are on record in our Voters' Guides with their stand on the issues we will address next year.
Electricity
Connecticut residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. The state's largest electric company, CL&P, was forced to its rates 22.4 percent in 2006 and the second-largest company, United Illuminating, requested a 38 percent increase at the end of 2006 for 2007. AARP Connecticut will continue to support bill payment assistance and work to increase local control over the energy market through regulated utility owned generation to prevent privately owned electric generators from causing large rate increases while making excessive profits.
Prescription Drugs
AARP Connecticut will continue to advocate that the state use the more than $200 million it saved when Medicare picked up the cost of drugs for ConnPACE and Medicaid. The state should expand prescription drug coverage by raising income limits to allow more residents to become eligible for ConnPACE. AARP also will continue to urge the state to offer its prescription drug beneficiaries the same benefit they had in 2005.
Long-term Care
AARP Connecticut will advocate for a balanced system of long term care that includes more home and community based options for people to choose as an alternative to institutional care. AARP Connecticut supports spending federal and state dollars to expand home and community-based services and eliminate arbitrary limits on how many people may chose home- and community-based services. AARP also will advocate for a federal Money Follows the Person grant to help Connecticut transition over 100 new people into the community each year for the next five years.
Transportation
AARP Connecticut will work to secure a permanent funding source for the state municipal matching grant program to expand demand responsive transportation, such as Dial-A-Ride Services. AARP also will support continuing one time planning grants to start independent transportation networks in additional regions throughout the state.
Health Care Reform
AARP Connecticut will work for reforms to increase health care coverage for people in Connecticut. Reforms would include proposals to have government, individuals and business share the responsibility of paying for health care coverage.
You Can Help
To become involved in helping AARP Connecticut advocate for these issues in the 2007 legislative session, please send an e-mail.
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