What's Up for 2014 at AARP Kansas

By Maren Turner, Director, AARP Kansas

Last year was a productive year for AARP Kansas —we worked with partners to establish the only Grandparents Park in the state, successfully lobbied against unfair rate increases for residential utilities customers, and sponsored roll- up- your- sleeves hands-on cooking classes that make a difference in the preventive health of Kansans. I wish there was space to tell you more about all our work.   Now, it is time to get to work and make a difference for older Kansans and their families in 2014.

Are you ready for the New Year? There is much to be done. Medicaid Expansion, for example, is critical for Kansans who are between ages 50-64 years who have lost their jobs and are too young for Medicare and unable to qualify for insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace.  Employers can discriminate against older workers based on their credit score or because of time spent out of the paid workforce. The current $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages, or pain and suffering, has not changed since 1988 and needs to be adjusted. And, unlike many other states, home health workers in Kansas can care for you and your loved ones without being licensed or certified.  AARP is also concerned about the thousands of Kansans who have been disenfranchised by our Voter ID laws, and of course, there are many more issues that need to be addressed.

So, are you ready? As I said there is much work to be done. If the answer to my question is YES, then please join us. We have volunteer positions available and look forward to working with you and for you in the New Year!!