SUMMARY REPORT - HIGHLIGHTS - BOARD OF DELEGATES, NC COALITION ON AGING

BY: Dr. A. Helen Martikainen, Board Delegate Representing AAUW-NC.

Introductory Remarks:

Since December, 2001, I have valued greatly the privilege of serving as the AAUWNC Representative, Board of Delegates, N.C. Coalition on Aging. In company with Professor Florence G. Soltys,* I continue to attend the regular monthly meetings of this Coalition Board held in Raleigh. At present, I serve also on the Coalition Board Nominating Committee.

Purpose of NC Coalition on Aging.

This statewide coalition, fifty member organizations, is committed to improving the quality of life for older adults by addressing their needs and promoting their dignity, self determination, well-being and contributions.

Some Highlights of 2003 - 2004 (to date)

1. Year 2004 Legislative Priorities of North Carolina Coalition on Aging.
   
   Please see copies of "handout" of the five priorities being presented to the current session of the NC. Legislature. Critical need continues for increasing state revenues for care of elderly and the disabled.
   
   
2. Medicare Prescription Drugs - "Improvement and Modernization Act" passed by US Congress.
   
   The Coalition Board agreed that this new law raises very many questions and confusion including its effects on Medicaid and the NC Senior Care Programs. The Board was advised that an important website is the Kaiser Foundation website www.kff.org. This is considered as a good place to obtain updates and unbiased information on this law. The Board noted also that fifty percent (50%) of the Seniors of North Carolina do not have prescription drug coverage.
   
   
3. Appointment of Professor Florence Gray Soltys
   
   It is a special privilege to report that Professor Florence Gray Soltys was appointed recently by the Speakers of the NC Legislature House of Representatives to serve on the important NC Study Commission on Aging.
   
   Professor Soltys is well known to many members of the AAUWNC She gave pioneering support to the launching of "Study Group Sessions on Aging Issues" sponsored by the Chapel Hill Branch of AAUW led by Jean Cleary and Clara Allen respectively.
   
   
4. Admission of additional State Organizations to the NC Coalition on Aging.
   
   During 2003 - 2004 (to date), it was my privilege to help enlist three additional organizations, namely:
   • NC Association of Boards of Health - Representative, Dr. Barbara Ann Hughes (Raleigh);
   • NC League of Women Voters - Representative, Ms. Connie Mullinex (Chapel Hill);
   • NC Society of Public Health Education, Representative, Ms. Nicolette Warren White.
     
     
5. Concluding Comment:
   
   In the coming months, it is my intent to report to AAUWNC about further important initiatives of the NC Coalition on Aging. One example will be reference to a promising project "Consumer Directed Change for a Community Alternative Program for Disabled Adults (CAPDA)". Special leadership for this "CAPDA Project" is being provided by our very own Coalition President, Jean Reeves of Weldon, North Carolina.

*Delegate Representative - UNC Aging Program - "Coalition - Continuity of Care in Geriatric Community."

As presented at AAUW NC 2004 Convention