Voices of Missouri Seniors

By Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell 

	A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to clear my schedule and
engage in one of my favorite activities...talking to people. I'm not talking
about on the phone, or in a meeting, but really sitting down and talk to
people. It's a rewarding experience when I get to speak candidly one-on-one
with the citizens of our state. Their comments are the invaluable tools I
need to keep this state government working for them. They allow me to
fulfill my job to its fullest capacity.

	 So, I packed my car, called up some old friends to see if I could
stay at their house, and then headed off around southern Missouri. I called
it the "Voice of Missouri Seniors Tour" because that is what I was seeking,
their input. As Missouri's Elderly Advocate, my duties are to protect the
rights of senior citizens as well as making sure their lives are safe and
comfortable. 

	I used the trip as an opportunity to tell seniors about new legislation that
might benefit them. Our plates are full in Jefferson City trying to bring
about improvement in elderly care. We want seniors to lead the most
productive life in the least-restrictive environment as possible. We need
our Missouri elderly care facilities to be on the forefront of change
serving as model homes for the increasing needs of our state's expanding
senior population.
	
	From Rolla to Joplin I heard from seniors who were concerned not
just for themselves, but for what their middle-aged children will be facing.
At a town hall meeting in Lebanon, I heard from a group of 30 senior
citizens on the trials of dependable and affordable health care. Some of
them were having trouble affording their most basic prescription needs such
as arthritis or blood pressure medication. 

	They needed the state to offer them a solution, and I was able to give them
a beginning step. I'm the chair of the new Missouri SenioRx Prescription
Drug Program that began July 1. The program allows eligible seniors the
opportunity to receive prescription drugs at an affordable price. Through
the program, both generic and name-brand drugs receive discounts. Around
30,000 seniors are accessing the program already. After a one-time
enrollment fee and a deductible seniors can begin reaping the benefits.
	
	At the town hall, seniors using the program delighted me with the
successes of the program. Others told me about areas they would change. It
was essential feedback I need in order to understand how the program is
really impacting our citizens. I informed them that although the
prescription drug program is what we can do for Missourians right now, it is
no substitute for a federal prescription program under Medicare.
	
	In Monett, I had a pleasant surprise encounter at the senior center
with area veterans. It's a glorious perk that my job allows me to defend the
rights of our nation's proudest heroes. So when I have the opportunity to
hear how their state is providing for them, I often end up taking up too
much of their time. 

	The seriousness of the issue was brought to my attention when I learned
nearly 39,000 Missouri veterans were not accessing their earned benefits.
The veterans in Monett were expressing these same concerns, and wondering
whether or not they had benefits they had not yet claimed. I told them about
the state's new toll-free benefits awareness hotline (1-866-VET-INFO). I
told the spouses of deceased veterans in the audience that they may too have
unclaimed benefits out there in the name of their loved one. 

	Before leaving I invited them to attend our next Veteran's Benefits
Awareness Task Force Supermarket Oct. 26 in Kansas City. At the supermarket,
information about veterans' benefits and organizations will be available
along with job search assistance, small business help, health screenings,
educational opportunities, legal assistance and credit and debt assistance. 
	
	Back home in Mexico I've had time to reflect on my trip, and it has
embedded in me an even deeper understanding of the importance of our seniors
in this next legislative session. With a dwindling state budget it is
increasingly imperative that we take the right steps to best provide for our
Missouri senior citizens. 

	I thank the seniors of southern Missouri who were kind enough to share some
thoughts with me, and encourage seniors from around the state to speak up.
You have a powerful voice coming from years of service and work for our
nation and I, for one, promise to listen.