AARP in Your State

Louisiana Bulletin State News

April 2008
Rally for change – AARP Louisiana is urging members throughout the state to learn more about legislative issues that affect their lives. A recent series of forums wrapped up March 31, the first day of the current legislative session. AARP members and representatives of other nonprofit organizations staged a rally on the Capitol steps urging state legislators and Louisiana’s congressional delegation to work across party lines to rebuild a stronger and better Louisiana in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes. Another rally on April 15 will focus on the need for more long-term care services that allow people to continue to live independently in their own homes as they age.

To learn more about AARP Louisiana’s legislative agenda, visit www.aarp.org/la. To sign up for AARP’s April 15 Rally Day at the state Capitol, e-mail la@aarp.org.

March 2008
Consumers on guard – AARP Louisiana is helping lawmakers draft a bill that would create a consumer advocate position to bring some balance to oversight of the Public Service Commission. The effort comes on the heels of a fight to save residential utility customers from having to bear the burden not only of steep rate increases but also of storm recovery costs in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

AARP successfully lobbied the state’s Public Service Commission to cut the amount of storm recovery fees Entergy Gulf States and Entergy Louisiana could collect from residential customers, but the battle underscored the need for an official consumer advocate, says Julia Kenny, AARP state director for government relations.

For more information, call AARP toll free at 1-866-448-3620, or learn how to become an e-activist at www.aarp.org/la.

December 2007
More options – AARP Louisiana is leading a coalition of advocacy groups and health care providers that aims to expand long-term care choices, improve quality of care in nursing homes, and reduce costs to the state. AARP convened the coalition in October.

Change is needed, advocates say, because the state has one of the worst records when it comes to investing in home- and community-based care. A 2006 AARP report found the state ranked 43rd in Medicaid spending for such services and 49th in overall Medicaid spending for people age 65 and older.