Advocacy

Elder Abuse can happen anywhere, anytime. It’s estimated that older adults lose about $3 billion annually due to financial exploitation and abuse. The effects go beyond the checkbook; it can cause emotional distress, deterioration of physical health, and loss of independence. Only about 1 out of 14 cases are actually reported to authorities. If you suspect someone is being abused, please report it to local law enforcement or the Alabama Department of Senior Services (1-800-243-5463).

Which issues will be front and center when the state legislature convenes in January? Find out during a tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28. AARP Alabama will detail its legislative priorities for 2018, including help for family caregivers, access to home and community-based services, improving guardianship laws, and protecting Medicaid.

At AARP, we believe Medicare is a deal with the American people that must not be broken.

AARP Alabama would like to thank the Alabama Legislature for the passage of legislation today that will ensure full funding for Medicaid in fiscal year 2017.

Contact: Jamie Harding

Tomorrow morning could be Alabama's best -- and likely last -- chance this session to see payday lending reform pass. The House Financial Services Committee is meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, to vote on SB 91, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which models Colorado’s payday loan reform laws.

It is not an overstatement to say that the 2017 Medicaid budget passed by the Alabama Legislature will hurt frail, low-income seniors who count on critical Medicaid programs for prescription medication, outpatient dialysis and hospice care —and drastically reduce support to family caregivers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a new AARP survey released today, 8 in 10 say that taking a stand on Social Security is a basic threshold for Presidential leadership. The survey of likely voters age 50+ also shows nearly 40% are dissatisfied with their retirement savings and nearly half of voters worry they won’t be able to achieve their financial goals over the next five years (49%). 4 in 10 (40%) still don’t know for certain which party’s presidential candidate they’ll choose in the 2016 general election.

The 2017 General Fund budget passed by the Alabama Legislature today will have a devastating impact on Alabama's health care delivery system. In overriding Governor’s Bentley’s veto of the budget, the Legislature has ensured that the state’s Medicaid program will be underfunded in fiscal year 2017 by at least $85 million. This underfunding of Medicaid impacts all Alabamians, because it impacts the health care delivery system throughout our state, whether services are delivered to Medicaid patients, Medicare patients, or the privately-insured.

“Tonight, the Alabama Legislature passed a 2016 General Fund Budget that cuts the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) by 4.6%. While this is a reduction from the cut of 9% that was passed by the House last Friday, it is still a very disappointing outcome for Alabama’s seniors.