CO-AGE Issues for the 2024 Legislative Session
CO-AGE is a vehicle for bringing broad-based input on aging issues from across the state to the attention of the General Assembly. Every July, CO-AGE members vote to prioritize issues to bring to Georgia’s elected officials. Here are the issues that were voted on for the 2024 Legislative Session.
Budget Priority
$10 Million Increase in Funding for Non-Medicaid Home & Community Based Services
Home and Community Based Services provide support for older Georgians to remain at home as long as possible by providing home modifications, personal assistance, meals, transportation, and other services. These services cost far less than staying at a nursing home and can help seniors stay independent longer. For the 2024 legislative session, CO-AGE is requesting $10 Million in funding for HCBS to begin to reduce the Waiting List of more than 14,000 older adults.
Legislative Priority
Create a Statewide Adult Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Program and Elder Justice Coalition
Many cases of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation involve varied professionals with varied levels of expertise thus leading to the creation of Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs). The make-up of an MDT varies based on the case and the needs of the local community.
In 2018, legislation was passed to allow judicial districts in Georgia to create MDTs to help address elder abuse. In the districts that have set up these teams, it has been a very effective tool. However, many areas have been unable to implement MDTs due to heavy District Attorney (DA) caseloads and lack of administrative supports.
CO-AGE proposes the creation of a Statewide Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Program within the Prosecuting Attorney's Council (PAC) of Georgia and an Elder Justice Coalition, which will provide the infrastructure for a statewide, uniform response to elder abuse in each judicial circuit.
This priority now has a bill number HB 1123
2024 CO-AGE Priority Issue Deferred to 2025
Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)
The Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) issue was selected as a priority by CO-AGE in July. However, due to the complexity of the issue, members of the CO-AGE workgroup found it important to defer pursuit of legislative action until the 2025 General Assembly session. Instead, members will launch a community educational campaign in 2024 so that advocates can better understand the issue, have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful discourse before approaching the legislature for a request for a Study Committee in 2025.
BACKGROUND
The problem: Many older adults receive terminal diagnoses that presage a long, painful, and expensive process before death ensues. This impacts not just the individual but also their families, who suffer in agonizing powerlessness as they watch and care for their loved family member as he/she succumb slowly and painfully to an ultimate and inevitable death. A MAID law would allow older Georgians to know that they can choose, if they so wish, a path that will allow them to die with dignity.
What other states are doing: Ten states (VT, CA, MT, CO, ME, NM, NJ, WA, OR, HI) and the District of Columbia have MAID laws and thirteen others have legislation pending. Only two-thirds of those who apply that are approved for MAID in states that have such laws actually use the medication to end their lives - and one third opt not to use it though they qualify. One hundred percent of those who qualify say that having the choice available eased their dying process.
Helpful Resources: Georgians for End of Life Options (gaelo.org) is a statewide organization working to expand end of life options for all Georgians. Their goal is to ensure that every Georgian can define for themselves what quality of life they may have at the end of their lives. Death with Dignity (deathwithdignity.org) and Compassion and Choices (compassionandchoices.org), are national organizations that have been spearheading education and advocacy efforts across the United States.