South Dakota Bulletin State News
By: States: South Dakota Source: AARP.org Date Posted:
April 2008
Health care concerns – In a recent survey of AARP South Dakota members, 72 percent of those polled said they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about being able to afford the health care they’ll need in the next five years. Nearly half said they have chronic health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and one in 12 lacks health insurance. Eighty percent of respondents said employers, individuals and government should share the cost of providing coverage for everyone.
AARP South Dakota is sharing these findings with candidates for state and national offices as part of the national Divided We Fail initiative. The effort encourages lawmakers to work across party lines to find ways to provide access to affordable health care and lifelong financial security.
For more survey findings and a link to the report, go to www.aarp.org/sd.
January/February 2008
In the know – Keeping up-to-date on legislative developments during the 35-day session that begins Jan. 8 will be a cinch for AARP members who sign up for weekly legislative alerts from AARP South Dakota.
Sent by e-mail, the alerts will summarize legislation related to health care, long-term care and other issues important to South Dakotans age 50-plus, and will help members contact their state senators and representatives to voice their opinions on pending issues. To sign up, send an e-mail to sdaarp@aarp.org.
December 2007
Power in numbers – With the legislature slated to be in session only 35 days in 2008, AARP South Dakota is gearing up for Lobby Days, an opportunity for members to influence the outcome of legislation on issues such as health care and long-term care. AARP will arrange for members to meet with their legislators and to attend sessions of the House and Senate.
South Dakotans from the western region of the state will gather at the Capitol on Jan. 28; those from the northeast region on Jan. 29; and those from the southeast on Jan. 30. AARP will provide free bus transportation and lunch for participants. For reservations or more information, call 1-866-542-8172 toll free.
November 2007
Think ahead – The state has launched a partnership between its Medicaid program and private insurers, allowing South Dakotans to buy long-term care policies that shelter part of their nest egg.
Policies approved by the Long-Term Care Partnership Program include an asset protection provision. If, for example, the policy pays out $200,000 for care and then is exhausted, Medicaid coverage will kick in, with special rules allowing the beneficiary to keep up to $200,000 in assets. Ordinarily, Medicaid does not allow more than $2,000 in assets.
AARP South Dakota supported the legislation that created the program and encourages members to consider buying such a policy, while cautioning that long-term care insurance may not be right for everyone. For more information, call the state Department of Social Services at 1-800-597-1603.
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