Advocacy

On February 1, 2017, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Vicki Schmidt, heard testimony on Senate Bill 68, the CARE Act. This proposed legislation would support the 345,000 Kansas caregivers who are providing unpaid care to a family member or loved one. The CARE Act, (Caregiver, Advise, Record, Enable Act) is another tool to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations by ensuring that caregivers are acknowledged and instructed on how to care for their loved one when he/she returns home from the hospital. It is a NO COST, commonsense solution to help formalize important discharge practices.

What could have been a $4.54 per month rate increase, was reduced to a $1.25 a month increase for Kansas Gas Service customers as a result of a settlement agreement approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) in November.

AARP Kansas is pressing state lawmakers to introduce a bill in 2017 that could help more private-sector workers save for retirement. The proposal, called “work and save,” would create a payroll-deduction plan that small businesses could offer to their workers. Participation would be voluntary for both employers and employees, and the plan would be portable when a worker changes jobs.

In the legislative session that begins Jan. 9, AARP Kansas once again will be backing a bill that could help family caregivers when a loved one comes home from a hospital stay.

For the third year in a row, AARP Kansas is seeking legislation that could improve communication between hospitals and family caregivers. State lawmakers will consider the proposed bill during the session that begins Jan. 9.

Outsmarting investment fraud and learning how to be a part of the AARP Fraud Watch Network and all it has to offer are just two of the topics that will be discussed at the 18th Annual Western Summit in Hays on Thursday, October 6, 2016. Other topics include activities for seniors at the Hays Recreation Center, athletics at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), fraudulent practices in acquiring antiques, a presentation on relationships with China by Dr. Ed Hammond, education professor at FHSU, and information about Hays airport services.

Are you ready for your home heating bill to go up-- again?

There was a packed house at the Botanica Gardens in Wichita in August as area residents gathered to hear about volunteer opportunities that are available through AARP Kansas. While many of those who attended know AARP for its discounts and insurance product endorsements, many didn't realize that AARP recruits volunteers to do a variety of work in communities across the state such as advocacy, community outreach, helping prepare tax returns, and teaching safer driving, as well as serving on the AARP Executive Council and Diversity Council.

Visitors to the Kansas State Fair can learn why it’s important for presidential and congressional candidates to lay out their plans to keep Social Security strong for current and future generations.

Photo by Stephen Smith