AARP Illinois Tackling Top Priorities in Overtime Session
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-06-29 15:13:33.701993-04:00
The General Assembly has headed into an overtime session, and AARP Illinois is continuing to fight on behalf of its 1.7 million members, tackling several priority issues-relief from soaring electric bills, access to affordable health care coverage for all Illinoisans, and the defeat of a "no-growth budget" that would eliminate essential funding that enables seniors to live independently in their homes.
In the midst of an electric rate crisis, AARP is continuing its fight to ensure that consumers get relief from soaring electric bills. Many residents of the state have seen their electric bills increase as much as 300 percent since a 10-year rate freeze ended in January and it's time that lawmakers adopt a workable solution to this crisis. The association is also making a major push across the state and in the capitol, urging support for Senate Bill 5, a plan that would provide affordable, quality health care coverage to all Illinoisans. With 1.4 million uninsured residents in Illinois, the time for health care reform is now.
Call 1-888-616-3322 and urge your legislator to support Senate Bill 5.
A "no-growth" budget would spell disaster for seniors across the State, eliminating crucial funding for programs such as home-delivered meals and medication management. These programs are essential for enabling older adults to live independently in their homes and AARP is fighting to ensure that these programs are not cut with a "no-growth" budget.
AARP has been a driving force behind these issues which are all being hotly debated in the overtime session and is pressing lawmakers to act on all of these issues prior to the end of the session. Volunteers have shifted into overdrive in Springfield and in their local districts, working tirelessly to broaden support for these top priorities.
Several AARP backed bills have already passed both legislative houses and are awaiting the governor's signature. One such bill is House Bill 570, the Rural and Small Town Meals Program, which expands the ability of the Illinois Department on Aging to provide nutrition services to seniors living in rural communities across the state.
Another bill, Senate Bill 595, would establish a statewide medication management program for seniors. Subject to appropriation, Senate Bill 595 would ensure that older adults in Illinois have the ability to access assistance in managing medications to reduce fatal errors. Finally, House Bill 652 will improve the state's Community Care Program by making services more client focused. With a "no-growth" budget, essential programs such as the Rural and Small Town Meals Program will not be realized.
Call your legislators at 800-719-3020 to say "no way" to a "no-growth" budget.
The time is ripe for action, and AARP Illinois is hitting the streets hard to oppose a "no-growth" budget and to ensure that electric rate relief and health care reform are passed during the overtime session.
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