Silver Haired lawmakers visit Capitol pushing senior priorities

Last fall, members of the Silver Haired Legislature established their top five priorities for Missouri's General Assembly members to address during the current legislative session.

Tuesday morning, a number of those SHL members visited the Capitol to explain their priorities to the Legislature, as well as discussing the organization's history.

The "mock legislature" - which was founded in 1973 as the nation's first such group following a change to the Older Americans Act to include advocacy groups - has endorsed a number of issues over the years that became official law.

This year's priorities include expanding Missouri's Medicaid program, known as MO HealthNet, and establishing the Senior Services Enhanced Funding Program.

The SHL also wants lawmakers to increase:

• Funding for home-delivered and congregate meals provided by the state's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).

• The Medicaid home-delivered meal rate by 10 percent.

• The Allowable Asset Level for people receiving MO HealthNet services to $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for a couple.

The SHL is comprised of 15 volunteers from each of the state's 10 regional AAAs, who have been elected by their peers to serve on the SHL.

Lawmakers, and others interested in learning more about the SHL priorities, can contact:

• Mid-Missouri delegate Pat Donehue, 893-3428 or [email protected].

• SHL President Walt Bittle at 636-456-5603, or [email protected].