2008 Legislative Priorities for AARP Alaska
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2008-01-15 13:23:42.489164-05:00
Alaska's Legislature returns to Juneau on January 15, 2008 for their first 90 day session. (It will be the first for our current legislators although, in the past, the Legislature has met for 60 day sessions.)
There will be some bills still hanging from last spring and others that will be introduced during the new second part of the session.
One of the most important bills that will be heard is SB 160, authored by Senator Hollis French. A companion bill, HB 242, has been introduced into the House by Representative Gabrielle LeDoux. The bills are meant to address "Affordable Health Insurance for All Alaskans." Unwilling to wait on Congress to do something about the 20% of Alaskans under age 65 who have no health insurance, the Legislature will debate these bills and hopefully come up with a solution that is fair for everyone. If a citizen does not have health insurance and needs medical care, it will be provided. If he can't pay for it, the next person in the door with a policy will pick up part of his cost. Several states are coming up with a legislative program to assure coverage and personal responsibility for health costs. Alaska may not come to a conclusion this session but these bills will certainly get the discussion going.
AARP is collaborating with the Alaska Commission on Aging, AgeNet (a statewide coalition of aging services providers) and the Mental Health Trust Authority in supporting the FACES (Family And Caregiver Elder Supports) campaign which is requesting a $1.5 million increase in home and community based services. There is no reason for newly discharged hospital patients to be placed on waiting lists for Meals on Wheels. Home and community based services prevent premature institutionalization and allow older Alaskans to remain in their home communities where they prefer to be. AARP will also support the extension of the Commission on Aging, hopefully until 2016. With the aging of our population, the Commission is more important than ever.
Older Alaskans on Medicare in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau have all complained that they are unable to locate a physician who will accept them. Many have been told, upon their 65th birthday, that they will need to find another doctor. Alaska's Community Health Centers have continued to accept all Medicare patients. However these centers are under funded. Most states supplement the federal funding. Alaska does not. AARP is supporting a request by the Alaska Primary Care Association for state funding for the centers. We believe it will reduce inappropriate (and very expensive) emergency room visits and will help support the only alternative many Medicare beneficiaries now have for access to a physician.
AARP will also be supporting HB 65, authored by Representative John Coghill, and considered one of the most comprehensive identity theft bills in the entire country.
AARP will also work on re-examining the public pension program for state and municipal employees and all of Alaska's teachers as well as other health and consumer issues.
Share
preview