AARP Advocates Make Progress in 2015

When it comes to meeting the needs of AARP’s 1.1 million North Carolina members, AARP’s continued work to improve the financial and health security of all North Carolinians is essential. Here is a recap of AARP’s state legislative outcomes and positions in 2015 with a glimpse of issues to expect in 2016.

FINANCIAL SECURITY

Passed with AARP Support in 2015

Full Uncapped Restoration of State Medical Expense Deductions & Protection from High Health Care Costs

The 2015 State Budget restored full uncapped medical expense deductions at the state level. These deductions were cut for the 2014 tax year and weren’t noticed by many who qualified for these deductions until they filed taxes in Spring 2015. AARP joined with other organizations to launch an aggressive online and in-person advocacy campaign targeting legislative leaders to get these reductions restored. The restoration is effective for the 2015 tax year and can be claimed in Spring 2016.

AARP Supports Increased Financial Literacy

NC House Bill 775 – Teach Financial Literacy in Schools (Ross/Bryan/J. Bell)

This bill provides two-year pilot funding to the NC Department of Public Instruction to implement and evaluate teaching financial literacy in high schools. This bill was not heard in 2015 but is still alive for 2016 consideration.

AARP Supports Improved Access to Savings

NC House Bill 515 – Work and Save Study Plan (Schaffer/Ross/Glazier/Pierce)

North Carolina has nearly 2 million private sector workers (half of all private workers who lack access to retirement savings plans at work. AARP has proposed that the state legislature authorize development of a public-private partnership for a turnkey, voluntary and portable statewide retirement plan to increase retirement savings access for small businesses, nonprofits and their private sector employees. Such a plan would increase the financial and retirement security of North Carolina workers and families as we age. This bill was not heard in 2015 but the study bill language could be added to the 2016 end of session study bill.

AARP Opposes Predatory Lending/Wage Garnishments

NC Senate Bill 681 – Consumer Access to Credit (Gunn/Pate)

This bill provides installment loans between $300 and $1500 for a minimum term of six months to a maximum of twenty-four months. The loan fees could result in consumers facing repayment amounts that can greatly exceed the initial cost of the loan and result in consumers being trapped in debt. This bill was not heard in 2015 but this bill or similar bill language could be a threat to consumers in 2016.

NC Senate Bill 632 – Civil Judgment/Allow Wage Garnishment (Brock)

For the first time in North Carolina, this bill would allow wage garnishments by private industry after a civil judgment (up to 25% of disposable earnings). Civil judgments could include but are not limited to old and current debts for furniture contracts, service contracts such as for lawn care or cleaning services, rental property payments and even old medical bills. This bill was not heard in 2015 but this bill or similar bill language could be a threat to consumers in 2016.

HEALTH SECURITY

Increased with AARP Support in 2015

Funding for Home & Community Care Block Grant in State Budget

The State budget increased funding for the Home & Community Care Block Grant by nearly $1 million annually. HCCBG is comprised of funding for in-home and community based services. These funds help older adults remain independently in their homes, provide transportation services and reduce senior hunger. Annually, m ore than 60,000 seniors are assisted through this fund who would have otherwise been at risk due to their social and economic needs. According to the Division of Adult Services Nearly half of those served live alone (49%) and reported income at or below poverty (45%) . More than 24,000 enjoyed congregate meals and over 18,000 received home-delivered meals . About 7,200 seniors were helped with in-home aide services and nearly 9,580 received help with transportation to health care, shopping, and other activities.

AARP Supports Flexible Work Arrangements for Family Caregivers

NC House Bill 816 – Study the Needs of Working Caregivers (Turner/Meyer)

This bill directs the Legislative Research Commission to study the needs of family caregivers who also work. Currently, there are 1.7 million family caregivers in North Carolina. This legislation which passed the North Carolina House unanimously would study employment opportunities and consequences for family caregivers, costs associated with caregiving including the costs to employers, protections available to family caregivers under state law and other needs. This bill needs support in the NC State Senate in 2016 to become an official study.

Support Uniform Guardianship

NC House Bill 817 – Enact Uniform Law on Adult Guardianship (Turner/Meyer)

(also known as UAGPPJA - Uniform Adult Guardianship And Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act)

UAGPPJA clarifies jurisdiction issues when multiple states are involved in adult guardianship cases, enhances recognition of adult guardianship orders across state lines, simplifies communication and cooperation between courts, addresses emergency situations, and reduces elder abuse cases known as ‘Granny Snatching’.  When a guardian moves from the protected person’s state, reestablishing guardianship rights can be costly and time-consuming court process.  UAGPPJA eliminates unnecessary duplication by providing a simple process to transfer uncontroversial guardianships between states.  Forty-two other states have already passed this uniform law which already passed unanimously in the North Carolina House in April 2015. The bill is currently sitting in the State Senate’s Rules Committee and needs support by a full floor vote of the NC State Senate in 2016 to become law.

Additional Issues:

AARP Opposed Ag-Gag Legislation NC House Bill 405 – Property Protection Act

Dubbed the ‘Ag-Gag’ bill, AARP opposed HB 405 because the overly broad language of the bill would wrongfully punish workers who blow the whistle on wrongdoings in the workplace. This could discourage workers from reporting abuses and wrongdoings in any business setting including health facilities, nursing homes and other businesses that serve our most vulnerable populations.

For more information, please contact AARP NC Advocacy Director:

Charmaine S. Fuller Cooper (919) 508-0266 cfcooper@aarp.org