Advocacy Volunteers Return to the General Assembly

AARP Virginia’s advocacy volunteers returned to Richmond just in time for crossover, the official halfway point in the General Assembly’s legislative session.

Advocacy volunteers met with key legislators to discuss legislative and budget priorities that would benefit older adults here in the commonwealth.

Volunteers met with a select handful of legislators to stress the importance of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board as part of the final effort to rally support before floor votes on the bills. Following the meetings, both the House and Senate PDAB bills passed with bipartisan support.

While some of the meetings focused on the values of PDAB, most focused on budget amendments being considered this session. Volunteers met with the offices of legislators who sit on the finance and appropriations committees in both the House and Senate. These legislators will determine what does and does not get included in the bi-annual budget. Volunteers discussed five key budget amendments that would positively impact older Virginians. Budget amendments include increasing the minimum SNAP benefits, funding a one-time CNA training program to reduce stress on the long-term care workforce, and increased benefits for Auxiliary Grant recipients.

Consider contacting your legislators and asking them to pass legislation to support older Virginians.