Advocacy

AARP is seeking volunteers to help advocate on behalf of older Kentuckians during the legislative session.

AARP this year will again urge state lawmakers to pass legislation guaranteeing paid family and medical leave for New Mexico workers.

AARP Connecticut will focus this legislative cycle on cost-of-living issues and ways to help older residents cope with them.

As New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) prepares to release her budget this month, AARP is pushing for an $83 million boost in funding for programs that serve older residents who need help with daily activities, such as cooking or bathing.

The set of reforms includes creating a new fund to support career advancement for long-term care workers, requiring care facilities to submit disease outbreak response plans, and allowing qualified assisted living staff to provide basic health services.

The Commission on Aging is back.

With the state legislative session slated to begin this month, AARP’s volunteer advocacy team has started meeting over Zoom and in person in Concord to plot strategy.

AARP Wisconsin is working with leaders in cities across the state to address affordable housing challenges — including joining other advocates to host a Housing Week event in Madison, working with city leaders to study housing options in Appleton, and leading walking tours in Milwaukee. In 2024, La Crosse also passed an ordinance to allow the construction of accessory dwelling units.

AARP South Carolina will advocate this year for lawmakers to increase the personal needs allowance in skilled nursing facilities.

With the state legislative session getting underway, AARP is advocating for Medicaid expansion, allowing an estimated 125,000 Mississippians to gain health coverage. The expansion would be largely funded by the federal government; Mississippi is one of 10 states that has not already done so, under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.