Virgin Islands Gubernatorial Race

Transcription

1 Virgin Islands Gubernatorial Race HAVING TROUBLE CUTTING THROUGH THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CLUTTER? AARP is committed to helping you get the facts you need to choose candidates who reflect your values. We are non-partisan -- we don t support or oppose any political candidates or contribute any money to campaigns or political action committees. Our priority is ensuring you know where the candidates stand before you cast your vote. HOW TO USE THE AARP VOTERS GUIDE: AARP asked the major candidates in this race for their solutions about issues important to AARP members, Americans age 50-plus, and their families. Each candidate was allowed up to 625 characters to answer the questions. Their responses were not edited nor modified AARP has provided a summary of our position for each of the issues in this guide. aarp.org/yourvote

2 Financial Security Nearly every state in the country has made changes to their public pension systems that reduce the retirement income that employees and retirees have worked for and contributed to throughout their career, even as employee contributions have increased. Will you support full annual funding of the retirement system to insure that public employees receive the benefits they are counting on? AARP s Position: AARP is fighting to ensure that hard-working Americans who have paid into the [Insert name of state retirement system] over a lifetime of hard work receive the benefits they ve been promised. AARP supports reforms to state pension funds that are fiscally responsible, ensure the long-term viability of existing defined-benefit plans, and protect workers financial security. AARP fights efforts to cut or eliminate promised benefits. Mona Barnes: The Barnes Coram Team will: Secure large infusion of funds to eliminate the unfunded liability by working closely with new Delegate to secure federal assistance Impose higher contributions from employees already a part of the system by using a sliding scale based on salary Lowering benefits for new hires or persons newly entering the system Propose legislation similar to WAPA s earmarked funding that utilized a portion of the gasoline tax, (which now goes to WAPA) Place limits on amount of times retirees can receive benefits to avoid double-dipping Consider putting in place a defined-contribution plan Donna M. Christensen (Dem): Yes. It is critical that current retirees the and soon to retire have their benefits protected. The funds to do that must be isolated. We consider this a sacred obligation. The solvency of our retirement system is important to the stability of our economy. While reforms must be made, the government must pay it's obligated share and also identify a sustainable revenue stream that will be pledged annually to the system to begin to close the unfounded liability. 2

3 Financial Security Nearly every state in the country has made changes to their public pension systems that reduce the retirement income that employees and retirees have worked for and contributed to throughout their career, even as employee contributions have increased. Will you support full annual funding of the retirement system to insure that public employees receive the benefits they are counting on? Soraya Diase Coffelt: We would support the full annual funding of GERS to ensure that public employees receive their retirement benefits. To make the system financially sound: establish a new task force to make up-to-date recommendations; establish a dedicated funding source for the employer contributions so that contributions are paid timely; increase the employee share of contribution; offer a 401(k) style retirement plan for new employees; raise the retirement age to 65 gradually over 5 years; stop loaning money to non-system members; and offer a lump sum payment to buy out current pensioners at a certain percentage rate. Kenneth E. Mapp: Yes. I will support initiatives that are geared toward maintaining full benefits for our retirees. Our retirees MUST be able to count on the retirement benefits that is promised to them. Sheila A. Scullion (I): It's very obvious that something is wrong. More money is going out than is coming in. Within ten years that is a receipie for disaster. The fat of yesterday is making everyone sick today. We have to deal with the truth. I won't make any promises. The average senior lives on 30,000 a year. I will tell the public the truth and I will encourage all of us to make the spiritual adjustments needed to take care of the established prioritys of this administration. 3

4 Family Caregiving In the Virgin Islands, family caregivers help seniors live independently at home. The unpaid assistance these individuals provide includes help with activities like bathing and dressing as well as complex medical/nursing tasks like administering medication and wound care. They provide this care with little or no support or training. Considering family caregivers are often on call 24/7 while holding down full time jobs, what would you do to help them continue to safely care for their loved ones at home or hospitalized? AARP s Position: Family caregivers serve a critical role in helping seniors live independently, at home. Yet, when their loved ones go into the hospital, these caregivers are often not instructed about the medical/nursing tasks they must perform when their loved ones return home. To address this, AARP urges policymakers to adopt the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act so caregivers can get the support and training they need. AARP also supports respite services, workplace flexibility and protections, and other supports to help family caregivers safely help their loved ones, at home. Mona Barnes: The Barnes-Coram team consists of a health care provider and a provider of housing for our elderly. We propose that the government must play a key role to ensure that our seniors are properly cared for independently at home or in institutions. Guarantee that government institutes programs that offer requisite training free of charge to care givers. Seek support of community organizations such as AARP and others that provide resources and programs to enhance the well-being of our senior population. Encourage our new Delegate to lobby Congress for increases in supplemental medical services & resources for seniors. Donna M. Christensen (Dem): Will continue to work with the next Delegate to increase federal funding for the Aged Disabled and Blind to help these caregivers. The Dept of Health used to have visiting nurses and I would like to see that reinstated to do the skilled nursing care for those without Medicare or Medicaid. Want to continue and hopefully expand the home care program at DHS so that they can be relieved from time to time. Would also be supportive of day care centers for disabled adults and would pursue possible funding to support them. 4

5 Family Caregiving In the Virgin Islands, family caregivers help seniors live independently at home. The unpaid assistance these individuals provide includes help with activities like bathing and dressing as well as complex medical/nursing tasks like administering medication and wound care. They provide this care with little or no support or training. Considering family caregivers are often on call 24/7 while holding down full time jobs, what would you do to help them continue to safely care for their loved ones at home or hospitalized? Soraya Diase Coffelt: Have a survey performed on the number and needs of family caregivers as a basis for establishing caregiver support programs; create a volunteer advisory committee and develop an action plan; establish aging and disability resource centers within Department of Human Services to help families and caregivers connect with resources and support; retrain existing staff for these centers; and seek Medicaid expansion so that if a person requiring care is Medicaid-eligible, support programs can offer funding for respite care and other services so that family members can keep their jobs and take care of their own health. Kenneth E. Mapp: The caregivers program at the Department of Human Services must continue to be fully supported. We must also seek out and assist non-profits whose focus will be on providing assistance in this area. It is indeed a difficult task for caregivers, especially when they hold down full- time jobs. Sheila A. Scullion (I): This is a very serious issue because it effects everyone's quality of life. I would make these suggestions: 1. If the senior owns their own home clean out a bedroom for a part-time or full-time live-in assistant. 2. Serenity which is a relatively new business will send someone to your home for two hours or four hours or whatever you need. 3. Interfaith needs to be supported by public funds. 4. Human Services has limited resources and a Caregiver's support group. No family member should be alone in this situation. There is support. 5

6 Consumer Protection Will you support adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act or other comprehensive power of attorney reforms? AARP s Position: Powers of attorney should be monitored and authority ended for those who abuse or neglect, either through action or inaction, the people in their charge. AARP supports effective laws that provide protections and remedies that are at least as stringent as those in the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Mona Barnes: The Barnes Coram Team does support the U.S. Virgin Islands Uniform Power of Attorney Act, which was enacted on March 8, 2010 by Act This Uniform Power of Attorney Act helps to avoid disputes and allows the courts to dispense justice in a timely and effective manner. Donna M. Christensen (Dem): Yes. One never knows when tragedy will strike and this provides security at those times as well as safeguards for the disable individual The Virgin Islands has adopted the Act and we will review it to make sure that it is sufficient. 6

7 Consumer Protection Will you support adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act or other comprehensive power of attorney reforms? Soraya Diase Coffelt: We support adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act and any other necessary power of attorney reforms. The Act is a modern law that addresses current issues and provides comprehensive solutions. It would provide important protections for all parties and peace of mind so that all parties would know what is required to make a power of attorney effective and binding. It is a hardship when a power of attorney is not accepted by a third party, such as a bank. We would join a number of states that have also adopted it. Uniformity among states and jurisdictions is important, particularly because people travel or move. Kenneth E. Mapp: I will fully review all of the ramifications involved in this act before I state a my position. Sheila A. Scullion (I): I would need to read the reforms. I asked a couple of local attorney's and they stated they were not aware of any changes yet. 7

8 Tired of the campaign clutter? The AARP Voters Guide will help you find out where the candidates stand on the issues important to you and your family. For more information, please go to Voter Information Inside NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID AARP