AARP Legislative Priorities Include Drug Importation, Senior Funds and Retirement Health Care

AARP New Mexico volunteers will be following a number of bills during the 2020 New Mexico State Legislative Session but a few are priority issues for the State Office.

While House Bill 44, the New Mexico Work and Save Act, which establishes a retirement savings plan for private sector workers, is AARP New Mexico’s first priority (See article this page), another high priority bill is Senate Bill 1, the Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Act, sponsored by Sen. Mary Kay Papen. The Act establishes a program to import prescription drugs from Canada to provide cost savings to New Mexicans and to regulate that importation.

(Photo caption: AARP New Mexico volunteers visit with Sen. Liz Stefanics at the Roundhouse.)

AARP is dedicated to lowering prescription drugs costs across the country,” said DeAnza Valencia, AARP New Mexico Associate State Director for Advocacy. “Our Stop Rx Greed campaign is highlighting the struggles people have with paying for their medications.”

“AARP is looking closely at any measure that addresses high prescription drug costs. SB1 is a way to help people by providing prescription drugs at a lower cost,” Valencia said.

Other priority issues for AARP New Mexico include:

• The Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund – an initiative by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to provide $25 million for senior services across the state.

• House Bill 16, Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler – would pay an employee part of their regular salary while taking time off to bond with a new child or care for a family member.

• House Bill 45, Increase Retiree Health Care Fund Contributions, sponsored by Rep. Tomás Salazar – increases rates of employee and employer contributions to the Retiree Health Care Fund and transfers $12,384,296, from the state’s general fund to the fund.

• House Memorial 10, Study on Financial Abuse of Seniors and Adults with Disabilities, sponsored by Rep. Deborah Armstrong – Asks the Senior Citizens Law Office to convene a task force to study and make recommendations to prevent the financial abuse of senior citizens and adults with disabilities.

For updates on these measures throughout the Session, check back here at www.aarp.org/nm