“Policies and issues that impact the pocketbooks of Connecticut residents is a major priority of our legislative work every year and will be again in 2025,” saidAARPConnecticut State Director Nora Duncan. “Our state office staff and volunteers are ready to work with lawmakers, policymakers, and other organizations on legislation that will keep more money in the pockets of our members and ensures Connecticut’s residents and older adults are supported through program availability, quality services, consumer protections and initiatives to address affordability and the cost of living in Connecticut.” 

AARPConnecticut’s 2025 legislative session priority is towork withlegislatorson policies that willkeep more money in the pockets of residents and their families;address rising costs of utilities so all people have fair and affordable access to the necessary services; support family caregivers; strengthen protections around predatory lending practices; ensure prescription drug prices are reasonable, justified, and support improved consumer access and affordability; and help older adults live safely and independently in their communities and more. 

SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Connecticut’s 420,000 unpaid family caregivers provide an estimated 390 million hours of care yearly to assist older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes – where they want to be. Caregivers make tremendous financial, physical, and emotional sacrifices to help loved ones with bathing, meal preparation, medical tasks, bill paying, transportation, and more.AARPurges legislators to give Connecticut’s family caregivers some financial relief from the high costs of helping their loved ones remain safely at home through a modest tax credit. 

FAIR & AFFORDABLE UTILITIES

As utility costs continue to rise, a growing number of Connecticut residents – who already pay the highest electricity rates in the continental United States – will have to choose between food, medicine, and keeping the lights on.AARPurges legislators to make reforms in the generation market to lower the cost of standard electric service offered by the state’s two electric distribution companies; protect funding and expand eligibility for energy assistance programs above the current levels to meet the needs of residents already challenged by inflation; and oppose the weakening of any of the strong consumer protections in the third-party electric supplier market. 

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Safe Banking: Bank accounts are vital to financial mainstream and well-being participation but are fraught with pitfalls or simply inaccessible for too many older adults on fixed incomes or struggling to make ends meet. Connecticut should limit overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees and prohibit destructive overdraft practices by financial institutions chartered in the state; collect data on overdraft and NFS fee revenue and practices; require state institutions to offer safe bank accounts without overdraft and NSF fees; and strengthen state bank account garnishment laws to ensure they automatically protect a base amount of income to pay for necessities. 

Artificial Intelligence:AARPwill track legislation and regulatory efforts related to the use of artificial intelligence and believe fairness, transparency, and accountability should guide all uses of AI or other algorithmic tools that make consequential decisions regarding someone’s health, income, or employment.AARPwill advocate for strong protections and support efforts to combat the use of AI to scam older Americans, as well as to disrupt elections and voting. 

Financial Fraud:Criminals increasingly target older adults using a variety of financial products and services such as gift cards, electronic payments, wire transfers, and cryptocurrencies.Connecticut should conduct robust oversight and enforcement related to scams and fraud and consider new prevention protections including refund or claw-back provisions. 

Rx DRUG AFFORDABILITY

AARP urges legislators to ensure prescription drug prices are reasonable, justified, and support improved consumer access and affordability. The creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is a way to accomplish this. PDABs, which already exist in eight states, are independent bodies established by the state to evaluate drug prices and (in five states) set upper limits on how much certain payors, including state agencies, will pay for high-cost prescription medications. Alternatively, Connecticut could establish upper payment limits based on other state’s PDABs or Medicare’s Maximum Fair Price. 

You Can Make a Difference

AARP Connecticut advocates on issues like Social Security, caregiving, financial security, independent living, health care, utilities and internet access, age discrimination, prescription drug prices, and more. We can’t do it without the dedicated and pssionate volunteers who share an aspiration to make a difference and improve the quality of life for residents of all ages. People can explore our volunteering opportunities atwww.aarp.org/volunteeror by contacting Marlisa Smith atmesmith@aarp.orgor 860-548-3171. Learn about becoming an e-advocate volunteer atwww.aarp.org/getinvolved. 

This article was written by Nora Dunca, AARP CT Director.