AARP Maine eyes expanded broadband, worker-savings legislation
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AARP Maine, headquartered in Portland, has worker savings and high-speed internet as top priorities for its 2021 legislative agenda.
With the 130th Maine Legislature now in session, AARP Maine has announced its legislative agenda for the year, including goals related to retirement security, high-speed internet expansion, health care and more.
The advocacy group said Wednesday that one of its top priorities will be to ensure all Maine workers have a way to save for retirement. Currently over 235,000 state residents have no access to a retirement savings program through their employer, the group noted in a news release.
AARP Maine said it supports legislation sponsored by state Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, that would provide a savings option for these workers through a public-private partnership.
“We know that this is a critical time for Maine people and Maine’s economy as we continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19,” Lori Parham, AARP Maine state director, said in the release. “It is critical that our newly elected and re-elected leaders work together to address important issues that affect Mainers 50-plus and their families.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of staying connected, AARP Maine said it will continue to support investments in high-speed internet throughout the state. A member of the Maine Broadband Coalition, AARP Maine supports additional bonding that will continue to expand access to unserved and underserved communities in Maine.
One bill, spearheaded by state Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, seeks a $100 million general revenue bond in alignment with the state's Economic Recovery Committee's recommendations to bridge the digital divide. Expanded broadband would make it easier for doctors to meet with patients, students to engage with teachers, and families to stay connected, AARP said.
A survey released by AARP Maine in 2019 showed that eight out of 10 Maine voters support state incentives to expand high-speed internet to underserved areas of the state.
Another focus is the lowering of prescription drug costs, which can affect older Mainers’ ability to maintain their health and ability to live independently. AARP Maine plans support efforts to protect Mainers from price gouging.
One out of four Mainers stopped taking their prescribed medications in 2017 because of costs, according to the organization.
Other work by AARP Maine will focus on broadening access to telehealth services, the importance of which COVID-19 has magnified. The organization also said it will continue to advocate for programs that allow older Mainers to stay at home or in their community as they age, and to ensure high-quality care in the state's long-term care facilities.
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