Joyce De Monnin

On Tuesday, May 28, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 26 - a bill that expands Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to individuals below 138% of the federal poverty level. It passed the House by a vote 63-55 and the Senate by a vote of 39-20. SB 26 will help ensure that over 342,000 previously uninsured Illinoisans, 60% of whom are employed, have access to health insurance at no cost to the state. Medicaid is currently only available to low-income individuals who also meet a categorical requirement. Those categorical requirements include (1) a child under age 19, (2) a pregnant woman, (3) a parent living with a child under age 19, (4) an individual over age 65 or (5) an individual with a disability. SB 26 will allow for childless adults ages 19-64 with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level to access health insurance, including access to preventative medical care that will keep them out of costly emergency rooms. It is anticipated that Medicaid expansion will reduce the amount of uncompensated care provided in Illinois by $953 million over the next decade. Expanding Medicaid will also generate $4.6 billion for Illinois in provider payments. AARP commends the General Assembly for passing the bill and urges the Governor to sign the bill into law.

With consumers already struggling with skyrocketing utility costs, Peoples' Gas, Ameren and Nicor Gas are attempting to write additional utility company profits into state law by passing a bill that will allow your gas rates to go up by 4% every year for the next ten years.

This is a guest post from AARP Illinois staffer Kathy Klaper. Check back every Monday morning for more information and resources on caregiving.

This is a post from AARP Illinois staffer and event attendee, Debbie Liu.

This is a guest post from AARP Illinois staffer Kathy Klaper

Matteson, Illinois - More than 600 residents of Illinois Congressional District 2 on President’s Day filled the pews at Victory Apostolic Church in South Suburban Matteson for a lively discussion on the future of Social Security, Medicare and retirement security at the AARP-sponsored Candidates’ Debate.

Hi all, this is Lenise again (AARP Volunteer) raising a question and giving out a piece of my mind! : )

Hi, this is Lenise. This is definitely not an easy topic to blog about; especially when it deals with the possible loss of life and human dignity. But to all the veterans out there, we appreciate you!

Experience Corps is hosting a series of community conversations with AARP members and the general 50+ public from January 18 through February 16. The conversations, which are scheduled for about 1-1/2 hours, will serve to provide those interested with more information on AARP Experience Corps and the work we do with local schools, as well as an opportunity to learn more about volunteer opportunities to work with children in grades K - 3 during the 2013-2014 school year.

Hello again from Lenise. I wanted to share something special with you today...