More than 200 of Jacksonville’s more mature citizens gathered Thursday in the Multipurpose Room at the Main Library Conference Center for the City’s 8th annual Legislative Forum for Seniors.
Five of the 11 state senators and members of the House of Representatives who were elected to serve the citizens of Duval County participated to update the attendees on what’s going on in Tallahassee and answer questions.
Attending were Representatives Mia Jones, Lake Ray and Mike Weinstein and Senators John Thrasher and Stephen Wise.
Also presenting to the lawmakers and constituents were executives from local senior-focused service organizations and Margaret Lynn Duggar, a consultant from Tallahassee who specializes in working with organizations that serve the state’s older population.
“It’s a town hall meeting,” said Mary Ferrell, project manager in the City’s Office of Special Events.
Duggar said one key item of legislation related to seniors that will be considered in Tallahassee in January is a bill to increase access to the “Community Care for the Elderly” program that allows seniors who don’t qualify for Medicaid to take advantage of services like Meals On Wheels.
“Community care is a remarkably cost-effective method of care. Most seniors want to stay in their homes and be as independent as possible,” she said.
Duggar also said that reapportionment and the redrawing of the state’s district election maps is an issue that deserves more attention from all citizens.
“There may be no more important long-term decision. It will determine who represents you for the next 10 years,” she said.
One piece of legislation that will be back on the agenda next year is a proposal to exempt certain volunteer caregivers from a requirement to be subject to a Level II federal background check in order to work with senior clients.
The law also affects family members who care for elderly relatives in their homes.
Duggar said many people have had to choose not to volunteer due to the $70 cost of the background check and the state is losing value as a result.
“Volunteers not only save the state a lot of money, they are a great social contact for the people they serve,” she said.
Thrasher said he expects when the issue is again considered in 2012 the exemption will be approved again by the Legislature and presented to Gov. Rick Scott as a standalone bill.
The measure was approved in the 2011 session, but was part of a larger bill that was vetoed by Scott.
“We are going to get that fixed,” said Thrasher.
Wise pointed out that he will celebrate his 70th birthday this year and said transportation and care for people with disabilities will be major issues in the next session.
Ray, who chairs the Duval Legislative Delegation, said he believes seniors laid the foundation for the younger generation and should receive special consideration when it comes to new laws and benefit programs.
“All of us are standing on your shoulders – those of you who worked to create our society,” he said.
“We should change things that affect those who have the ability to change. Not many seniors have that ability,” he said.
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