More legislative priorities for Wisconsin aging groups

The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) is an experienced and effective agent for change in Wisconsin legislation affecting older people.

A statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, CWAG is made up of individuals and member groups that represents over 125,000 people in Wisconsin. Born out of grassroots activism, CWAG formed as the voice of older people in Wisconsin after 4,000 older people marched on the state Capitol in 1977 to improve senior conditions in the state. Today, we work together as productive, equal partners providing a variety of programs, services, advocacy, elder law and education to Wisconsin's senior citizens and to future generations.

Their three priorities for the state budget:

1. Benefit specialist/legal services program,
2. Elderly and disabled transportation program, and
3. Family Care expansion.

They're also specifically interested in expanding the volunteer ombudsman program, healthcare reform (supporting any one of the single-payer plans of state budget director David Riemer, Wisconsin AFL-CIO president David Newby, or state senator Mark Miller), property tax reform, funding for Family Care, and work on Medicare funding.

At the legislative caucus meeting CWAG convened January 18 in Madison, others named their priorities. Just a few:

-saving county-run nursing homes
-more nutrition program funding
-reimbursement for longterm care that is based on quality, not cost
-campaign reform (freeing money for social reform agendas)
-caregiver training and support
-more funding for Milwaukee County
-sprinklers in nursing homes (you thought they all had them, didn't you?)
-reinsurance to insure insurers and reduce their risk
-adding older adults who don't yet qualify for Medicare to BadgerCare Plus
-continued funding for education and reallocation of funds
-increasing CNA training requirement to 120 hours
-abuse registry

What are your priorities--and how should they be funded?