AARP in Your State

July 2008 

Fifty over – To celebrate AARP’s 50th anniversary, AARP Oklahoma is seeking nominations for 50 Oklahomans who have contributed significantly to their communities or the state. Nominees must be age 50 or older but need not be AARP members. Winners will be recognized at a reception at the state Capitol on Aug. 26. To nominate someone, write 250 words or less explaining why the person should be honored. Send nominations to Craig Davis, AARP Oklahoma, 126 N. Bryant Ave., Edmond, OK 73034, or cedavis@aarp.org, postmarked or e-mailed by Aug. 8.

June 2008

Home help – Oklahomans have a new tool to help them make wise choices when looking for a nursing home.  Developed by the state’s quality-improvement program Focus on Excellence, the website—www.oknursinghomeratings.com—rates 265 long-term care facilities that contract with the state’s SoonerCare Medicaid program. Consumers can search for facilities by city or Zip Code and see how they rate on such factors as quality of life, resident and family satisfaction and nursing staff per patient.  AARP Oklahoma worked with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the nursing home industry to set up the program, which encourages quality through financial incentives. Nursing homes that meet the highest standards can earn bonuses of up to 5 percent of their daily Medicaid payments. Of the 315 nursing homes in Oklahoma, 84 percent participate in the program.

March 2008

Convenient proof – Under a new state law, victims of identity theft can get a copy of a police report about their case from their local police department, no matter where the crime occurred. Previously, victims had to file a complaint in the community where the thief used a stolen account number, says state Rep. Terry Ingmire, R, who cosponsored the measure with state Sen. Randy Bass, D. Some victims found it difficult to get the documentation they needed to reestablish their good name with creditors. AARP Oklahoma lobbied for the new law, which took effect in November 2007.

January/February 2008

Insuring more workers – Under a law that took effect in November, an estimated 50,000 workers are now eligible for Insure Oklahoma, a state program that helps businesses buy health insurance for their employees. The state pays 60 percent of insurance costs, employers pay 25 percent and employees pay 15. The state’s share is funded by a tobacco tax.AARP Oklahoma supported the new law, which expanded the size of businesses eligible for the program to 250 employees—up from 50. It also increased annual income limits for eligible workers by 35 percent, allowing individuals with income up to $25,525 and couples with income up to $34,225 to participate.When signing the legislation in June, Gov. Brad Henry, D, called the program "a creative way to help small businesses offer more affordable and accessible health care for their employees." To learn more, visit www.insureoklahoma.org call 1-888-365-3742 toll free.

November 2007

Report card on aging – The Oklahoma Aging Partnership has released its third annual legislative report showing how lawmakers voted on key issues. As a member organization, AARP Oklahoma compiled the report and hand-delivered copies to legislators.The 2007 report lauds lawmakers for requiring assisted living facilities to monitor residents’ care; requiring home health agencies to conduct criminal background checks on employees; amending the Protective Services for Vulnerable Adults Act to make financial neglect an offense; and providing greater protections for victims of identity theft and telephone scams. On the other hand, the report notes the legislature failed to provide a tax break for Oklahomans who care for elderly relatives.