Michigan - AARP Bulletin Today

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September 2008

Raising the bar – Several House Democrats have introduced a legislative package designed to improve nursing home care and better protect residents. Backed by AARP Michigan, the seven bills (HB 6251-56 and HB 6261) aim to strengthen quality-of-care standards and require accountability.

Provisions include increasing transparency of nursing home ownership, enforcing licensing and operating standards for facilities owned by private firms, and requiring owners to prove they have the funds and insurance necessary to offer quality care. To ensure consumer choice, the legislation would require facilities to notify residents and their families of any change in ownership.

To ask your state senator and representative to support the legislation, look them up and send e-mails at www.senate.michigan.gov and www.house.michigan.gov.

July 2008

Stopping abuse — State senators have introduced a package of bills (SB 1288-1296) seeking to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of frail older Michiganders. If passed, the “Safeguard Our Seniors” bills would allow new forms of testimony, strengthen sentencing guidelines and stiffen penalties. Under the legislation, victims who are too frail or fearful to appear in court would be allowed to testify via videotape or closed-circuit television. People who abuse, neglect or steal from a family member or friend not only might pay fines or spend time behind bars but would forfeit any inheritance from the victim.  AARP Michigan supports the measures, which are based on recommendations from a task force on elder abuse appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D. To urge state senators to pass the bills, go to www.senate.michigan.gov.

June 2008

Long-term care funds — As lawmakers hammer out a budget for 2008-09, AARP Michigan is urging the House to restore funding for home- and community-based services.  In February Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D, delivered a budget proposal to lawmakers that included a $28 million increase for services that can help people remain in their own homes as they age. The Senate, however, eliminated all but $1 million of that increase.  AARP advocates have met with House members to discuss the need for alternatives to nursing home care. To ask your representative to restore the governor’s proposal, call the Long-term Care Reform hotline at 1-888-232-6829 toll free.

April 2008

Health care for all —AARP Michigan supports the Health Care Security Campaign, which aims to put a measure on the ballot that would require the legislature to pass laws ensuring affordable, comprehensive health coverage for every state resident. The ballot initiative would amend the state constitution to require universal coverage financed through a combination of public and private funding. Supporters must collect half a million petition signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot. With health care costs increasing, government programs and Michigan employers are spending on average about $6,000 on health care costs per person per year. Many Michigan residents are underinsured, and each year many drop private coverage as costs outpace their ability to pay. More than 1 million residents have no health insurance at all. To sign the petition or to get involved, go to www.healthcareformichigan.org.

March 2008

Power play – AARP Michigan has joined a coalition opposing a package of legislation that would alter the state’s utility rate structure and establish a new approval process for building power plants and generating electricity. Consumer advocates say the proposed changes would increase residential rates by $350 million, allow utilities to make rate hikes without state approval, and require consumers to pay for power plant construction costs before the facilities are up and running. “These bills would hamstring regulators and lead to higher rates for every electric customer in Michigan,” says Felicia Wasson, AARP associate state director for advocacy. Lawmakers are expected to vote this spring on the six bills (HB 5520-5525). To contact your representative to urge a no vote, go to www.house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp. To learn more about the issue, visit www.customerchoicecoalition.com.

December 2007

Invest wisely – AARP has produced The Lure of Money, a DVD that chronicles the stories of real people, including some from Detroit, who erred when making investment decisions. AARP Michigan shows the DVD at seminars to help consumers protect themselves against scams. Members who cannot attend the seminars can now watch the program at home.To order a free DVD, call 1-888-687-2277 toll free and ask for stock number C2342 (English) or C2344 (Spanish). AARP members who have been victims of investment fraud can share their stories at http://www.dividedwefail.org.