AARP Kansas 2023 Legislative Priorities

AARP Kansas Legislative Priorities in 2023

AARP is advocating on behalf of older Kansans on a variety of issues during the 2023 legislative session. Our team of staff and advocacy volunteers are prepared to work with lawmakers on issues focused on financial security and fraud prevention, affordable healthcare, affordable utility rates, and increased access to affordable broadband throughout the state.

Improving Retirement Savings through Work and Save Legislation

Many private-sector employees in Kansas don’t have the option of saving for retirement through payroll deduction. AARP Kansas is asking the state treasurer and legislators to support legislation during the 2023 session that will give employees the ability to save for retirement through a payroll deduction plan organized through the treasurer’s office and managed by a financial investment company. The voluntary program would be similar to the state’s 529 plan for education savings. A workplace retirement savings program would allow small businesses in our state to provide their employees easy access to a path to save for their future, and to help them achieve financial independence so they won’t have to depend on government programs in their later years.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)/Long-term Care Services and Supports (LTSS)

AARP Kansas continues to fight to keep residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities safe and their families connected. Using our LTSS Scorecard outcomes, we advocate for rebalancing the Kansas LTSS system. We advocate for older Kansans to have high-quality, affordable options when it comes to long-term care—especially care at home. We continue supporting Kansas caregivers who provide care for loved ones at home and allow older Kansans to have more choices in how and where they receive long-term health care.  

TAXES

Helping to protect the financial and health security of older Kansans remains a top priority for AARP. To that end, our state must have the revenue it needs to continue providing the essential services that older Kansans and their families rely on. AARP Kansas will continue to closely review all potential legislative proposals regarding tax issues and evaluate them with both goals in mind.  Most often that means supporting targeted tax reform measures that offer relief to our residents who have low-to-middle incomes. This includes retirees and their families who, especially in these inflationary times, are facing challenges associated with the increased costs of necessities like groceries, medication and utilities.

Medicaid Expansion

AARP has a long history of advocating for increased access to high-quality health care. We continue to support expansion and protection of Medicaid beneficiaries. Approximately 164,000 Kansans earning less than the federal poverty level are counting on their elected officials to expand Medicaid (KanCare) this year so they can get affordable health care. Many of these uninsured are between the ages of 50 and 64 and have lost their jobs during the pandemic.

High-Speed Internet

Kansas currently ranks 36th among states in BroadbandNow’s annual ranking of internet coverage, speed and availability. Being on the wrong side of the digital divide means older Americans can’t access and aren’t able to use the tools that could help them live happier, healthier lives. In many rural counties, residents would benefit greatly if they had access to telehealth and online socializing.  Adequate and affordable broadband is a crucial component of health care, especially for people with mobility and transportation issues. The pandemic has shone a bright light on the disparate deployment and adoption of high-speed internet across our state. AARP Kansas is working to bring awareness of the need to expand access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet in all areas of Kansas.

Utilities

AARP continues to fight for older Kansans and their families to make sure that affordability and reliability concerns, as well as support for a sustainable energy future, are always paramount when utility companies that serve Kansas request rate increases. AARP Kansas also supports efforts to create a low-income utility rate program.

Join our Team of Volunteer Advocates

AARP Kansas works with volunteer citizen advocates to serve on local teams to make our priorities known to legislators. If you’re interested in joining our team or would like to know more about our work, contact Ernie Kutzley at ekutzley@aarp.org or by calling 785-221-2827.