Stepping Forward to Face the Challenge

By Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell

	During the past two weeks we have taken the first official steps toward
realizing my goal of strengthening the laws that protect Missouri seniors in
long-term care, which has culminated in proposed legislation.  Over the past
few months I have been traveling throughout the state to speak with Missouri
nursing home residents, family members, and the employees and administrators
of long-term care facilities about this critical issue.  These discussions
have helped to shape the Senior Care and Protection Act, which I have made
my personal resolution for this new legislative session.  Through its formal
filing as a bill in both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives,
this personal resolution has now been transformed into proposed legislation.

	I applaud the members of Missouri's two legislative chambers for their
diligence toward the members of their home communities by filing these
bills.  Rep. Cathy Jolly (D-Kansas City) of the 45th District filed HB 186
in the Missouri House of Representatives.  Forty-two additional co-sponsors
from across the state joined in this effort to protect Missouri senior
citizens in long-term care. The following week the Senior Care and
Protection Act was filed as SB 311 in the Missouri Senate by Sen. Pat
Dougherty (D-St. Louis) of the 4th District, who was joined by eight
co-sponsors.

	I'm pleased that we can now move beyond the process of filing and begin
working on passing a bill that will truly impact the lives of Missouri
seniors in long-term care.  I am actively seeking bipartisan support for
this legislation, as it should be the goal of all legislators to protect the
health and safety of Missouri citizens.  Throughout this process I plan to
work with both Democrats and Republicans to ensure our senior citizens
receive the best quality care by strengthening Missouri laws.  As a
government we have already waited too long to pass this legislation. Now
must be the time to actively make a difference for Missouri seniors by
putting effective laws in the books that will improve the lives of our
senior citizens.

	Over the next few months it is my goal to help guide the Senior Care and
Protection Act on its journey through the legislative process.  Through
passing this legislation we will step up to the challenge of protecting our
senior citizens by strengthening weak protection laws and driving the bad
actors out, ensuring that Missouri seniors receive the best quality of care
for their specific needs.  We ask for your support in protecting our seniors
and for you to contact your state representative and senator to ensure that
they too are stepping forward to face this challenge. Let's make sure we are
all doing our part to protect the health and safety of the elderly in
Missouri.