WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today met with members of the Illinois AARP chapter to discuss issues affecting seniors across the state. Senator Kirk spoke with Illinois State President Rosanna Marquez and Communications Director Gerardo Cardenas.
“Working with the Illinois AARP chapter, we have fought to combat Medicare waste and ensure that no Americans face age discrimination in the workplace,” said Senator Kirk. “I am thankful to have their support as we fight for our shared interests on behalf of Illinois seniors.”
The Illinois AARP chapter thanked Senator Kirk for his work on the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), which he co-sponsored with Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) last year as well as the passage of the Older Americans Act (OAA) which provides home and community-based services for the gaining community throughout the country. Senator Kirk has also previously worked with AARP in their efforts to introduce legislation to prevent Medicare waste, fraud and abuse.
Senator Kirk also announced that the bipartisan Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimers Act will be in included in the FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill. The legislation will give Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority, for the first time, to provide payment for a caregiving planning session to a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. After discussions with the delegation, Senator Kirk agreed to support the Credit for Caring Act, sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), which with provide tax relief to families caring for a loved one.