AARP at the Louisiana Legislature

Nearly 2,000 AARP members raised their voice last year during the legislative session, urging their legislator to reverse the devastating cuts to senior services. If passed, these budget cuts would have threatened seniors and persons with disabilities access to health care.

Legislators heard AARP advocates loud and clear, and continued to fund critical senior programs.

It’s that time again!

The 2012 legislative session is just weeks away. AARP Louisiana is gearing up for a robust session, focusing on two important issues to the 50+. Health care and transportation.

In an AARP survey, 89 percent of our members tell us that they wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible. That’s why we are at the legislature each day fighting to expand options for home and community based services and working to keep funding intact.

Over the past year we’ve facilitated a Chronic Care Management workgroup whose main purpose is to advance the coordination of care that allows Louisiana residents to better manage their chronic diseases and remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

According to the 2009 Louisiana Health Report Card, six chronic diseases are among the 10 leading causes of death in our state.
 
Chronic diseases pose significant and widespread burdens with regard to quality of life and economics. Chronic diseases not only burden individuals who have them, but they burden caregivers, public and private health care providers, and a variety of community support agencies.

The Chronic Care Management in the Community workgroup has presented its findings to the Louisiana House of Representatives with the hope that lawmakers will implement the report’s recommendations through legislation.

As Louisiana ages, the ability to get to where you want to go will become increasingly important to live your best life, independently, in your own home and community.

AARP Louisiana is part of a legislative workgroup to coordinate and expand the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes so that they can access services.

Across Louisiana, human services transportation is fragmented, uncoordinated and escalating in cost.

Convened by the Department of Transportation and Development, the workgroup will present its recommendations and an implementation plan to improve the efficiency of limited transportation resources to the Louisiana Legislature, eager to improve mobility for these special populations.

AARP Louisiana’s success at the capitol is due in large part to the thousands of volunteer voices heard throughout the halls. Have you joined our e-activist team?

As an e-activist, you will receive email alerts from the AARP Louisiana team and a request to take action by emailing your legislator.

Make your voice heard. Join the e-activist team today.