Silver Haired Legislature chooses Priority bills

Silver Haired Legislative delegates from all areas of the state met in Jefferson City Oct. 4-6 for their 27th annual legislative session. Delegates debated and voted on 24 separate bills during a three-day session that took place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel as well as the House and Senate Chambers of the Capitol.

Delegates heard presentations from Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson, Gov. Mel Carnahan, Richard Dunn, Director of the Division of Aging, Claire McCaskill, State Auditor and Norman Bungard, National Committee to Save Social Security & Medicare. Those delegates attending from the Northwest area included Betty Youtsey, Gallatin,

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: Creation of a Department of Senior Services; protection of the elderly from abuse, whether physical, sexual, financial or emotional injury or harm; pharmaceutical tax credit for those meeting income guidelines and not receiving reimbursement for legend drugs from Medicare or Medicaid; nursing home inspections, unannounced, and others as deemed necessary, as well as adequate staffing to suit each facility and situation; exempt Social Security from Missouri State Income Tax.