Advocacy

This week, AARP and consumer advocates claimed victory after coming to consensus with the long-term care industry on a bill to prevent elder abuse. More than two years ago, a Star Tribune series, Left to Suffer, unveiled a broken regulatory system that left many older and vulnerable adults at risk for abuse and neglect. Minnesota is the only state in the country that does not license assisted living facilities. Reports of elder abuse, uncovered more than 2 years ago, continue with the Minnesota Department of Health receiving approximately 400 cases of abuse and neglect every week.

Right now, Americans are paying the highest prescription drug prices in the world - often double what other countries pay for the same medicine millions of people depend on. Too many Americans are choosing between filing a prescription or buying groceries.

Minnesotans Can't Wait One More Year!

Voters age 50 and older were the deciding factor in last year’s midterm elections, according to the National Election Pool Exit Poll results. The findings confirmed that 50-plus voters made up the majority of voters 64% in Minnesota, and Candidates who ignored older voters, Minnesota’s most powerful voting group, paid a price on Election Day.

As the year begins, AARP Minnesota is seeking advocacy volunteers to help bring the voices of older Minnesotans to St. Paul in order to provide their perspective on important issues such as elder abuse, prescription drug costs and support for family caregivers.

By Pamela Schmid

About 370,000 Minnesotans are served by Medicare Cost plans that are set to expire at the end of this year.

Voting in the mid-term elections is easy for some people – just a quick walk around the corner or a short drive to the polling station. But for others, it may seem impossible.

Around the state Minnesotan’s are talking with candidates about challenging issues. Critical issues like retirement security and protecting vulnerable seniors. These issues are on the line for Minnesotans this mid-term election. While we might not always agree about what’s most important or the best solution, we do know that policy discussions and the decisions that come out of them impact all of us in different ways. That’s why AARP is proud to partner with Twin Cities Public Television on the production of Citizen Lane.

In response to a new series of digital advertising released in Minnesota by the House Majority PAC and DCCC, and print advertising released by the MN DFL, AARP affirms it did not authorize or participate in the production or release of the ads now appearing in the state.