Advocacy

Texas lawmakers today finalized a measure that gives important new rights to millions of unpaid family caregivers. A priority for AARP, House Bill 2425 (companion to Senate Bill 1417) would help Texans when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. The legislation goes next to the governor’s desk.

AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson today praised the Legislature’s final passage of House Bill 3276. Filed by Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, HB 3276 would help protect consumers from surprise medical bills at freestanding emergency rooms. Earlier today, the Texas Senate approved the measure, sending it to the governor’s desk. Jackson said:

In Texas alone, there are more than 3.4 million unpaid family caregivers, many of whom provide complex medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones, and sometimes without adequate explanation or training. It’s not unusual for their tasks to include managing multiple medications, providing wound care, overseeing special diets, and operating high-tech medical equipment and monitors.

With the scheduled end of the 2017 Texas legislative session approaching, AARP continues to fight for passage of several bills that aim to improve nursing home quality, ease the stress of family caregivers, protect older Texans from financial exploitation, and help consumers avoid and respond to surprise medical charges.

A soon-to-be-released AARP report will address the racial and economic disparities of older Black Ohioans, and offer solutions.

AARP Florida, United Way Miami, Miami-Dade County’s experts in aging and elected officials gathered at Miami-Dade College North campus on Wednesday, May 15th to learn about the issues older adults face and how laws, regulations and public policies can help our community age gracefully and with respect. Expert panelists, including Florida State Senators Ana Maria Rodriguez, Alexis Calatayud and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, focused on allowing older adults to maintain their independence as they age by addressing challenges in housing and finding solutions for affordable housing in new and innovative ways.

Got questions about where, when and how to vote this year? We have answers!

By Teresa Holt, AARP Alaska State Director

Discover how AARP's advocacy for work and save legislation is addressing the retirement crisis and empowering individuals across generations.

Advocacy Update 5-14-24