Top AARP Virginia 2009 General Assembly Priorities

Protecting Frail, Elderly from Financial Exploitation; Helping Small Businesses Establish Employee Pension Plans and Improving Health Care Quality

By: State: Virginia

Helping Virginians meet their long-term financial security and quality health care needs are the top priorities of AARP Virginia for the 2009 General Assembly Session.  For the latest General Assembly developments click here. 

ECONOMIC SECURITY

Retirement savings accounts for small business employees

AARP Virginia has joined forces with a group of key stakeholders to support legislation in the 2009 Virginia General Assembly which would lead to the establishment of a new voluntary payroll deduction retirement savings plans for employees of small business. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) calculations, 58.7 percent of Virginia workers participate in retirement savings plans. The Virginia Employee Voluntary Accounts (VEVA) Program is designed so that small business employers may join to realize economies of scale in offering their employees the opportunity to contribute to a payroll deduction fund for the purposes of saving for retirement. Research strongly indicates that employees who have automatic payroll savings deductions do save more than those who do not.  AARP supports legislation in the 2009 General Assembly to develop the VEVA program in Virginia. 

Protecting elderly from financial exploitation

Preventing frail and elderly Virginians from becoming victims of financial exploitation is a priority for AARP Virginia. Financial exploitation is the mishandling or theft of money, assets, accounts or property by another person.  This crime can be deterred if financial institutions were legally required to be mandatory reporters of financial exploitation. These institutions (banks, savings institutions, credit unions, securities firms, accounting firms and insurance companies) are now exempt from Virginia’s law requiring reporting of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation to Adult Protective Services (APS).  These institutions may voluntarily report suspicious situations. AARP supports legislation to require mandatory reporting of suspected financial exploitation of frail and elderly when there is suspicion of these incidents in financial institutions.

Car Title Lending Reform

A car title loan is a secured personal loan for which a borrower’s automobile is used as collateral. Car title lenders offer these products to borrowers “quick and hassle free.” The borrower must surrender their automobile title, along with a set of car keys. This practice traps borrowers into financial quicksand. AARP is a founding member and partner in VaPERL (Virginia Partnership to Encourage Responsible Lending).  AARP supportslegislation that caps the interest rates on car title loans at 36 percent (annual percentage rate).

HEALTH AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Health care initiatives addressing the nursing shortage

Presently, there is a serious nursing shortage in Virginia.  According to the Governor’s Health Care Reform Commission, by 2020, there will be 23,000 fewer nurses than is needed in Virginia. Applicants for nursing schools are being turned away because of a lack of nursing educators. AARP supports legislation to  increase the number of nurse educatorsin Virginia.

Funding the Virginia Caregiver Grant Program

AARP Virginia has advocated for the funding of the Caregiver Grant Program. This program    offers up to $500 to caregivers of Medicaid eligible Virginians who need this care.  Governor Kaine cut all funding for this program from the budget in the first round of budget cuts in 2008.  AARP supports returning $500,000 to the Caregiver Grant Program in the 2009 budget.

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

Public policy to coordinate, improve mobility for seniors across Virginia and promote safety for mature drivers.

Keeping up-to-date with driving skills is very important for older drivers. Presently, older drivers in Virginia who complete driver safety classes in a classroom setting qualify for auto insurance premium discounts. Currently, the discounts apply only for classes taught in the classroom.  On-line courses are offered and older drivers are taking these courses in record numbers.  AARP supports legislation to make on-line driver safety programs eligible for auto insurance discounts.

OTHER SUPPORT ISSUES

Long Term Care Reform

According to AARP research, more than 80 percent of Virginians want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. However, Virginia spends 77 percent of its Medicaid dollars for nursing home care and just 23 percent for home and community based services. AARP will ask the General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Health Care to study how Virginia can re-balance the state’s long term care spending.

State Budget Cuts

AARP recognizes the negative impact the national economy is having on Virginia’s state budget. AARP Virginia will advocate for fair and balanced adjustments and advocate against budget cuts that  adversely and severely impact frail, vulnerable, disadvantaged, and isolated 50 + persons.  AARP supports an increase in tobacco tax to create a new source of revenue for health care programs.

During the General Assembly Session late every Friday afternoon, AARP Virginia will be providing two free weekly legislative updates.  A brief audio report is available at toll-free 1-888-542-8164 just ask for the General Assembly Update Line.  A newsletter is posted covering the week’s activities in the General Assembly session.