July 24, 2012

REP. FAWCETT SAYS SENIORS BENEFIT
FROM CHANGES IN STATE LAW, POLICIES

State Rep. Kim Fawcett announced Tuesday that senior citizens will benefit from changes made this year in state law and regulations.

Rep. Kim Fawcett meets with seniors from Villa Avenue Common apartments in Fairfield.

Among the new changes is the so-called Grandparent’s Bill of Rights. The new law strengthens the rights of grandparents seeking visitation by putting extra weight on evidence showing that a parent-like relationship exists and that a denial of visitation could cause harm to the child.

Under hospice care, a new law improves access to quality end of life care for families in our community. By adjusting the state’s regulations to make them consistent with federal hospice standards, the law will encourage hospices to offer residential services in areas of the state where they are not currently available, including Fairfield County.

Preserving Medicare eligibility was another issue taken up during this year’s legislative session. Seniors who benefit from the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which helps with co-pays and deductibles, can now rest easier. The program’s income eligibility requirements have been adjusted to account for recent Social Security cost of living increases.

“Protecting seniors has been a major goal of mine, and I am proud to announce that the legislature has stepped up to the plate this year to do what we can to help the people who make up a significant part of our population,” Fawcett said.