SILVER HAIRED LEGISLATURE HOLDS MOCK VOTING SESSION

John and Jean Seay of Cape Girardeau were two members of the 150-member Silver Haired Legislature which met earlier this month in Jefferson City.

The 23rd annual event is for seniors from around Missouri who meet to discuss, debate and vote on bills and resolutions that address issues facing older residents.

Twenty-two bills were presented during the session, with participants picking five priority bills: An act relating to the creation of the Department of Aging; an act increasing funding for home-delivered meals and in-home services; an act accepting Medicare assignments for Medicare patients; an act prohibiting insurance companies from denying health care coverage or imposing higher premiums to individuals with pre-existing conditions; and an act subsidizing the cost of pharmaceuticals.

Missouri was the first state to hold a mock legislature for seniors. At least 22 other states now have similar legislatures.

More information about the Silver Haired Legislature, or SHL, can be obtained from the Area Agency on Aging at 335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771.