Carol Pickering Named to Silver Haired Legislature

Carol Pickering was named as a delegate to the 45th Annual Silver Haired Legislature, a project of the Area Agency on Aging.. He was named for the Northwest Region. Also named were Lois Pontius (Harrison) and Lorraine Helm-Higgins (Gentry). Alternates were Joseph Higgins (Gentry) and Gayle Wade (Harrison.

The 45th Annual Conference of the Silver Haired Legislature took place at the State Capitol in Jefferson City on October 16, 17, and 18.  The 103 delegates in attendance chose their Top Five Priorities and formulated plans to advocate for Senior issues during the coming legislative session. 
After spirited debates in the Legislative chambers, the delegates chose these issues as their Top Five Priorities for the 2019 legislative session:

1. Establish the Senior Growth & Development Program
2. Revision of Mo-RX
3. Increase Funding for Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals
4. Make Missouri’s Income Tax Brackets More Progressive
5. Approval of Over the Counter Sale/Use of Industrial Hemp Oil as a Supplement

Anyone interested in learning further details about the priorities of the Silver Haired Legislature is encouraged to call or e-mail Freda Miller at 855-205-7520, fmiller@nwmoaaa.org or SHL Delegate, John Murphy at 816-449-5759, farmerjohn39@yahoo.com.

Missouri’s Silver Haired Legislature was founded in 1973, the first in the nation after the Older Americans Act was amended to include advocacy groups.  The SHL is composed of fifteen volunteers from each of the ten statewide Area Agencies on Aging.  These 150 senior advocates, elected by their peers, identify and advocate for issues critical to older Missourians.

A Moment with Mike -- Retaining Small Businesses

The tradition of “throwing paper in the air” brought an end to the first session of the 96^th General Assembly at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. It is difficult to describe that mixture of feelings that include relief, fatigue, disappointment, pride, satisfaction and patriotism as you ponder the reality of the many bills, initiatives and ideas that have either passed through the process or failed, but will have an effect on the citizens of Missouri for years to come. The cumbersome process is frustrating at times but also adds some protection from ideas and regulations that may seem progressive and necessary by some and redundant or harmful to others.

A bill only becomes law after it has gone through a number of steps in both the House and the Senate. Getting agreement throughout the process without having things added to the bill that are undesirable is difficult. These steps guarantee that anything that passes and is sent to the Governor for one more step has been vetted appropriately. That does not mean that we all agree but each Representative or Senator tries to represent the constituents in their part of the state and hopefully most things passed represent the over-all good for the state.

We started session with a pledge to live within our means, keep taxes low and balance the state budget. I believe we have accomplished these priorities and have passed measures that will positively affect Missourians in all walks of life. One top priority was to create an atmosphere to attract and retain small business and we successfully passed legislation that will reduce regulations and cut down on frivolous lawsuits for small businesses and family farms.

We continued to represent Missouri taxpayers by requiring drug tests for welfare recipients, if they are suspected of abusing drugs, so we know our tax dollars are used to provide a hand up and not a hand out. We went after the worst of the worst by toughening penalties on those who attempt to facilitate human trafficking and we took a strong stand for the unborn and defined what a viable life in Missouri actually is. We passed a reasonable fix to Prop B that will improve the safety and enforceability of animals and bad actors, but also protect our agriculture industry and we made several changes in the “right to carry” laws including the extension of these rights to 21 year olds which makes us consistent with the other states around us.

Two pieces of legislation approved by the General Assembly will appear on the November 2012 ballot for voter approval. One will be to protect and clarify the rights of Missourians to pray in public places and the other will determine the need for a photo ID to vote.

I was pleased that we were able to extend the MO Rx program that benefits over 200,000 senior citizens and we funded the Area Agencies on Aging to enable them to continue the “Meals on Wheels” program that provides a service to those who cannot provide well for themselves.

One of the more difficult initiatives that took a lot of time and consideration was the passing of a redistricting map that would establish the boundaries for the 8 congressional districts in our state. This was completed with a historical override of the Governor’s veto and this will be in law for at least the next ten years.

These are a few of the initiatives that were passed this session and I will give a more detailed overview of some of these in the coming weeks. Right now I am looking forward to staying in the district and seeing all of you at the parades, carnivals, dinners and other events throughout the area.

If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Medicare Benefits from Affordable Care Act Announced

Annual Wellness Visit: Beginning January 1, 2011, people with Medicare have access to a new ‘Annual Wellness Visit’ where they can receive a comprehensive health risk assessment and develop a personalized prevention plan.

Improved cost-sharing for Medicare preventive services: Also, as of January 1, the Affordable Care Act ( ACA )also eliminates cost-sharing for Medicare-covered preventive services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The services which now have no cost-sharing (if a doctor accepts what Medicare pays for a service as payment in full) include:
-- abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
-- bone mass measurement
-- breast cancer screening/mammograms
-- cardiovascular screening tests (although you generally will have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit)
-- certain types of colorectal cancer screenings (i.e., flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy)
-- diabetes screening tests (although you generally will have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit)
-- flu shots
-- Hepatitis B shots
-- HIV screening tests (although you generally will have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit)
-- medical nutrition therapy services (for those with diabetes or kidney disease, or who have had a kidney transplant in the last 36 months and whose doctor refers them for these services)
-- Pap tests and pelvic exams
-- physical exams – both the “Welcome to Medicare” visit and the annual “wellness visit”
-- pneumococcal shot
-- prostate cancer screening
-- smoking cessation counseling

Smoking cessation counseling: More people are now eligible for the smoking cessation counseling benefit under Medicare. Now all beneficiaries who smoke can take advantage of as many as eight smoking cessation counseling sessions.

To learn more about Medicare-covered preventive benefits, go to: http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/manage-your-health/preventive-services/preventive-service-overview.aspx or contact Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging at 888-844-5626

37529 Missourians May Overpay for Plan D

Medicare estimates that 37,529 eligible Missourians have not signed up for a program that would help them pay for Medicare Part D and drastically reduce their prescription drug costs.
The program is known as "Extra Help for Medicare Part D," or the "Low-Income Subsidy." It pays 75 percent or more of prescription drug costs associated with Medicare Part D, the federally subsidized prescription drug program.
Carol Beahan, director of the nonprofit CLAIM program, would like to see more people enroll in the program.
"Many people don’t think they can afford Medicare drug coverage, because it does require cost sharing. That’s what the Extra Help program is for. People shouldn’t have to make a choice between buying groceries, or buying their medicine. Tight budgets shouldn’t force people to sacrifice their health," Beahan said.
"Some simply may not know they could be eligible for the program. Others might see the program as a handout; but I tell them that every week they have paid for the benefit already. Now’s the time to use it," Beahan said.
Applications for the Extra Help program can be requested by phone by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. It can also be completed online at www.socialsecurity.gov or at your local Social Security office.

Silver-Haired Legislature Identifies Priorities

Silver Haired Legislative delegates from all areas of the state met September 29, 30 and October 1, 2008 for their 35th annual legislative session. Delegates debated and voted on twenty-two separate proposals during a three-day session, which took place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, as well as the House and Senate Chambers of the Capitol in Jefferson City. Delegates attending from the Northwest area were Senators: Sharon Ferris, Trenton; Dale Faulkner, Tarkio; Helen Leimbach-Zech, Plattsburg. Representatives: Edwin & Dorothy Allender , Chillicothe; Dale & Patricia Midland, Maryville; Martha Rush, Sheridan; John Murphy, Maysville; James Crenshaw, Lathrop; Claude Brandon, Savannah; Joyce Nixon, St. Joseph; Jennie Vertrees, Princeton; Mary Catherine Damm, Chillicothe; Howard Trullinger, Eagleville.
At the conclusion of the session, delegates voted on their top five priority bills for presentation to the Missouri General Assembly, scheduled to convene in mid-January. Silver Haired priorities include:
1. Comprehensive Entry Point;
2. Increase Area Agencies on Aging Meal Funding;
3. Increase Missouri Health Net Asset Levels:
4. Increase Personal Needs Allowance of Facility Residents on Medicaid;
5. Regulate Payday Loans.

Senior Country Music Festival/Health Clinic in Bethany June 6th

Irlene Mandrell, youngest of the famous Mandrell sisters, will be the keynote speaker for the 15th Annual Senior Festival, "Country Hoe-Down," on Friday, June 6. The event will be held at South Harrison High School, 3400 Bulldog Avenue, Bethany, Missouri from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Just turn off I-35 at the Highway 69 Spur (Exit 93) and turn left on Bulldog Avenue to reach the school. Senior citizens, baby boomers and caregivers from across Northwest Missouri are invited to attend the festival.
The day will begin with health screening from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m., including free tetanus shots, massage, and screening for cholesterol, glaucoma, bone density, blood pressure, blood glucose, vision, blood oxygen and skin cancer. An exhibit area, with 25 exhibitors, will be open for viewing during this time. Morning fruit break will be sponsored by Health Systems Care Centers and Northwest Medical Center.
Opening session at 10:45 a.m. will feature actress, model and performer Irlene Mandrell, sponsored by CLAIM and Relay Missouri. Mandrell, starring on Hee Haw for eight years, is a two-time winner of Music City News comedy act of the year. An accomplished hunter, Mandrell annually hosts "The Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot," raising money for "Wish Upon A Star" and Boy Scouts of America.
Noon luncheon, sponsored in part by Bethany KFC and Graves will be available for $3.00. Over the lunch break, join the group for fun exercise with "Get Up and Move with Nurse Good-body."
The afternoon session will be a lively competition of entertainment and skits by area senior centers. Cash prizes will be awarded to senior centers winning the competition, compliments of Cameron Elks and Gallatin Lions.
The Senior Festival is sponsored by the Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging. The event is funded in part from Older American Act funds, distributed by Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
The facility is air conditioned and handicapped accessible. There is no registration fee. For information on OATS transportation, check with your local contact person. Be present and win door prizes provided by area senior centers and businesses, including Branson Get-Away packages. Special Yee-Haw Grand Prizes, sponsored by Pamida Foundation, Harrah's Casino, Relay MO and CLAIM will conclude the day's activities. Come join the fun of Senior Festival '08 in Bethany, Missouri on Friday, June 6th.

Lt. Governor Protests Budget Cuts for Area Agencies on Aging

Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today called on state lawmakers to restore $1 million in funding for the vital senior services programs administered through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s). The funds were stripped from the 2009 state budget by the House and Senate budget committees.
"As the state’s official Senior Advocate, and on behalf of Missouri’s senior citizens, I am calling for this cut to be rescinded and the $1 million funding increase to be restored immediately," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "These services administered by the AAA’s save the state millions in Medicaid dollars as they help seniors remain independent rather than being forced to live prematurely in a long-term care facility. My primary responsibility as Lt. Governor is for the wellbeing of our seniors. I know my friends in the legislature share a common concern, and I am confident that they will heed my call to put this money back into the budget."
Last week, a proposed $1 million dollar funding increase was reduced to $500,000. The reduction in funding will have a serious impact on programs that not only provides nutrition to many seniors but also allows them remain in their homes independently and to live with dignity.
The cuts made by the legislative budget committee came with just days remaining before the Legislature begins debate on a final budget, which is required by the Missouri Constitution to be completed by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
"The clock is ticking on Missouri’s seniors yet I am confident that lawmakers will do the right thing and restore this critical funding before it is too late," Lt. Governor Kinder said.