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Annual Legislative Session
 
The Older Iowan’s Legislature held it’s 30th annual Legislature Session in the House Chambers of the State Capitol in Des Moines on Sept. 29th and 30th.  Delegates elected all over Iowa participate in the session.  The primary task of the Legislative Session  to debate and select the bills which will be presented to the members of the Iowa Legislature and to the general public for consideration.  The Older Iowans Legislature debated nineteen bills that had been submitted by members from around the state and then adopted five bills and three resolutions.
 
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT 2008 SESSION (in order of delegate votes received)
 
#1 PRIORITY
A bill for an act to allow providers of the Medicaid Elderly Waiver case management service to be reimbursed for their actual cost of providing the service.
 
#2 PRIORITY 
A bill for an act establishing parity of reimbursement for home and community based services.
 
#3 PRIORITY
A bill for an act relating to the establishment of Iowa’s Elder Abuse Initiative Program to serve more Iowans instead of only 32 counties.
 
#4. PRIORITY
A bill for an act creating a private cause of action for certain consumer fraud violations.
 
#5 PRIORITY
A  bill for an act establishing standardized requirements for long term care insurance policies.

And a bill for an act to provide additional appropriations of the Department of Elder Affairs and to the Area Agencies on Aging to meet the unmet needs of frail elders in Iowa.
 
ADDITIONAL BILLS PASSED BY 2008 OLDER IOWANS LEGISLATURE 

1. A bill for an act relating to the funding of the Older Iowans Legislature.
2. A bill for an act establishing an annual increase for Title XIX recipient personal needs allowance equal to the percentage increase of Social Security payments as directed by the Social Security  Administration.
3. A bill for an act relating to prepaid funeral plans.
4. A bill for an act relating to expansion of governing entities that are governed by the “Open Meetings Bill” and methods that persons may use to protest alleged violations of the Act.
5. A bill for an act to provide property tax relief for lower income seniors.
6. A bill for an act to provide additional funding for the older adult services provided to communities by the Iowa Area Agencies on Aging

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY 2008 OLDER IOWANS LEGISLATURE

1. Be it resolved that the Iowa General Assembly provide adequate funding for meeting the needs of seniors.
2. Resolution for restoring civil liberties of seniors.
3. Resolution for providing for increased oversight of residents in assisted living facilities by the Department of Inspections and Appeal

The Older Iowans Legislature also honored two Iowans for their contributions to older Iowa  citizens.  Carl and Janet Boley of Burlington was honored as the Volunteer of the Year.  Janet served three terms as the state treasurer for OIL.  Carl served as the representative for the SE District and also as the parliamentarian for the annual session.  They have also been recognized with a Governors award for service to the State of Iowa.  They are active in church work and always focused in helping others.<\p>

Myrt Bowers of Cedar Rapids was honored as Aging Professional of the year. Myrt has the distinction of being both director of Witwer Senior Center, all the services they provide, and director of senior dining there as well....a dual role she handled with expertise, good humor and aplomb.
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