AARP's Top Legislative Priorities

By: State: Minnesota | Source: AARP.org

This session, AARP is working on key priorities at the State Capitol, urging our elected officials to:

Find bipartisan solutions to the state's budget deficit

AARP believes Governor Pawlenty and state lawmakers should seek common ground in finding a solution to the state's historic budget deficit that does not adversely impact vulnerable Minnesotans. In today's weakening economy, older Minnesotans are at greater risk for health and financial suffering, and are more likely to need critical health and long-term care services. AARP strongly believes that health and human services should not take a disproportionate share of the budget cuts, and that all options for raising revenue should be on the table for discussion.

Continue Minnesota's Health Care Reform Leadership

AARP supports a series of health care reform bills sponsored by Senator Linda Berglin and Representative Tom Huntley that will further help reduce costs in the system, improve quality and help balance the budget. The rate of growth in health care is a burden on taxpayers, the state budget and, ultimately, on consumers. This package of bills will reduce administrative costs, leverage additional federal funding and improve the way we pay providers. It is a continuation of the health reform legislation enacted last year and supported by AARP.

Protect Elder Minnesotans From Abuse

AARP strongly supports House res 818 (Hilstrom) and Senate res 758 (Moua), legislation to reform and streamline the Vulnerable Adults Act. Allegations of nursing home residents' abuse that have surfaced in two Minnesota communities serve as a reminder of the responsibility we all must take in caring for our loved elders. This legislation will streamline the Vulnerable Adult Act reporting system, assure first responders have the tools to serve a growing and changing population and help to better protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.

Support Long-Term Caregivers

In Minnesota, unpaid family caregivers provide the vast majority of care to those who are sick and frail. Given the current budget and economic challenges, these family caregivers will be taking on a larger part of the care burden. AARP urges lawmakers to provide better support for unpaid family caregivers, who often juggle multiple roles at home and in the labor force, and can experience stress and health problems of their own as a result. AARP supports House res 337, to provide a tax credit for low-income caregivers. Additionally, we support allowing employees to use earned sick time to care for loved ones.

Support Protections for Reverse Mortgage Consumers

AARP supports House res 528 (Davnie) and Senate res 489 (Clark), legislation to ensure that Minnesotans who consider reverse mortgages receive a fair product that best meets their needs. The legislation requires that homeowners seek nonbiased counseling about the pros and cons of entering into a reverse mortgage. It also increases the responsibility of lenders so that when a mortgage is sold, the originator and the buyer of the loan can both be held responsible for any unscrupulous actions by the loan originator. Most importantly, it helps ensure that reverse mortgages are sold only to people who need and can afford them. Finally, the legislation prohibits the cross-selling of insurance products and expands the timeframe in which consumers can reconsider and rescind their loan.

Oppose Lifting the Ban on Medicare Balanced Billing

AARP strongly opposes House res 1027 and Senate res 962, bills that will allow doctors who choose not to participate in the Medicare program to charge patients who are Medicare beneficiaries more than what Medicare allows for a particular service. Currently non-participating doctors may only charge beneficiaries 95% of the charge allowed by Medicare. If the ban on Medicare Balance Billing is lifted, non-participating doctors would then be allowed to charge Medicare patients up to 115% of the charge allowed by Medicare. Many Medicare beneficiaries are living on fixed incomes and simply cannot afford to pay more to go to the doctor. This legislation would be a cost shift to patients who are already suffering from increasing health care costs.

Interested in advocating with us? Send an email to apope@aarp.org