Advocacy

On January 15, State Senators Sue Crawford and Machaela Cavanaugh introduced LB 311, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act. AARP strongly supports this measure to offer employed family caregivers paid leave from their jobs to care for their loved ones. Nearly two in three family caregivers in the workforce are caring for a relative age 65 or older. We believe that Nebraskans should be able to care for their family members without worrying about losing their income.

Approximately 290,000 Nebraska residents have access to just one internet provider or no access at all.

Lawmakers approved permanent Aging and Disability Resource Centers at locations across the state. These free one-stop sites for information, referral and assistance were first launched as a demonstration project in 2015 to connect older and disabled Nebraskans and family caregivers with the support and services they need. Such information can help people stay in their homes longer and avoid costly care.

By Dave Holmquist, AARP Nebraska State President

Today, in Nebraska more than 300,000 people over 65 and individuals with disabilities are covered by Medicare for their health care.

Under a new law that takes effect July 19, registered nurses on staff at assisted living facilities can now use their judgment to alter procedures to meet residents’ temporary or intermittent needs.

Nearly 200,000 Nebraskans care for older parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities, or other loved ones, helping them to live independently in their homes and communities, where they want to be.

AARP scored several important wins for 50-plus Nebraskans in the fiscally challenging 2018 legislative session. Listed below are the top priority bills that we supported and actively worked to pass on behalf of our members, their families and caregivers.

Rosalee Yeaworth knows a thing or two about completing a marathon.

On April 25, AARP Nebraska leaders and volunteers visited Capitol Hill to urge their elected representatives to make permanent the 7.5 percent medical expense tax deduction threshold, protect and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and support family caregivers by joining the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus.