What do affordable housing, access to healthy foods, advance care planning, palliative care, exploitation of endangered adults and guardianship services all have in common? They are all topics of bills that IAAAA has advocated during the 2020 Indiana General Assembly which convened January 6 and is already half-way complete! Guided by our 2020 Public Policy Priorities, we have been at the State House frequently this past month working on issues affecting older adults, people with disabilities of any age, aging in place, health care and social determinants of health.
It’s important that you let your legislators know your opinions on these important concerns. Consider supporting our work on one or more of the bills below, or any other of the many bills we are monitoring and advocating:
- SB 273 establishes the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission. We have been working to ensure the Commission includes a clinician with expertise in geriatric mental health.
- HB 1199 expands access to palliative care to persons living in the community who do not already have access to hospice services.
- HB 1317 streamlines and modernizes Indiana Statutes around health care advance directives.
- SB 123 will study adding a new state tax incentive for affordable housing development.
- SB 249 strengthens criminal liability and penalties against those who exploit endangered adults.
- SB 356 establishes a fund to support innovative projects and partnerships to expand access to affordable, healthy foods in food deserts.
Your voice DOES make a difference with legislators. Contact yours today!
