AARP Alabama is dedicated to working with our state leaders to ensure that all Alabamians have access to affordable health care, lifetime financial security and stronger consumer protection. If you would like to become involved, contact Conwell Hooper at chooper@aarp.org. In the 2012 legislative session, our Capital Advocacy Team volunteers will work to:

• Protect state budgets and programs promoting independence, choice and dignity of people 50+. With a projected revenue shortfall close to $400 million, we will work to preserve funding for Home- and Community-Based Services, Long Term Support Services, SenionRx, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels.
  

See Also: Medicare Information

• Ensure that transportation options are accessible and safe, and ensure that communities offer affordable housing and transportation options for all.
• Support passage of the Housing Trust Fund bill enabling Alabamians to have access to more affordable housing; we will work to pass a Complete Streets bill and we will work for more local ordinances; and we will make changes to our Driver Safety law to enable more participants to take the course.
  
• Support measures to expand the existing laws regarding prevention, intervention and resolution of elder abuse.
  
• Support action to rebalance long term care funding in Alabama. We will oppose any measure that would jeopardize Medicare.
  
• Pass legislation allowing Alabamians to have more control over who accesses their credit through a security freeze measure which allows consumers to control who accesses their information.
  
• Support Health Insurance Exchange legislation facilitating the expansion of health insurance coverage for all Alabamians. We will work with state and federal government stakeholders including the private sector to ensure Alabama has a quality program enabling low-income Alabamians access to coverage.
  
• Remove state sales tax on food. Working Alabama families continue to struggle to meet rapidly rising food costs as Alabama remains one of two states that does not offer any offset, rebate or break to this unfair tax burden