Representatives of the Silver-Haired Legislature gave the program at a meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club.
John Murphy is the northwest district board president. Freida Miller is the northwest district coordinator. Edna Foster is the Grundy County representative to the board.
Murphy said the Silver-Haired Legislature consists of representatives from across Missouri, age 60 and older. He stated they advocate for senior citizens and work on legislative priorities. Among them is increased state funding for home-delivered and congregate meals and a 10 percent increase in the Medicaid home-delivered meal rate.
Other priorities, according to Murphy, include expansion of Medicaid, an increase in the allowable asset level for persons on MO HealthNet, establishment of a Senior Services Enhances Funding Program, an increase in transportation funding, financial assistance for seniors for medically-necessary hearing, vision and dental services through MO HealthNet, The group also seeks a ban on texting of any hand-held cell device by drivers of any age when operating a vehicle
Ms. Miller mentioned Silver Haired Legislative delegates are selected from each county based on voting done at senior centers. Once delegates are selected, they vote on area priorities which are considered during a state meeting.
Mrs. Foster mentioned several current laws started as Silver-Haired Legislature priorities. They include exploitation of elderly and elder abuse laws, deletion of sales tax on pharmaceuticals, permanent funding for CLAIM, creation of the Missouri Senior RX Program, the Senior Savings Protection Act, increasing the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in long-term care facilities.
