Montana Legislative Issues: A Survey of AARP Members

This survey explores the attitudes and opinions of 1,149 of AARP's 142,861 Montana members on various consumer and legislative issues, including prescription drugs, utilities, and tax and budget reform — and gauges the legislative priorities they think AARP should pursue in their state.

Affordable prescription drugs, and the availability, cost, and quality of health care were viewed as top legislative priorities, while affordable health insurance (87%), secure retirement savings (83%), and access to affordable prescription drugs (82%) emerged as the top personal concerns among Montana AARP members.

Specifically, of the members responding to the mail survey...

• 47 percent say paying for prescription drugs is a problem for them and 43 percent are very concerned about being able to afford their prescription drugs in the next two years, even though 68 percent have health and prescription drug coverage
  
  
• 85 percent report their energy bills have gone up, and 70 percent believe electric deregulation has hurt consumers like themselves
  
  
• 34 percent and 20 percent, respectively, support increases in alcohol tax and corporate income taxes to balance the state budget and maintain public services, but 75 percent and 62 percent, respectively, are strongly opposed to increases in property taxes and the state income tax

The survey was conducted during October and November 2004. The report was prepared by Jennifer H. Sauer and Brittne Nelson, both of AARP Knowledge Management; further information about the study may be obtained by contacting Jennifer Sauer at 202-434-6207. (30 pages)