PM commits to giving seniors ?special consideration? in laws

PHILIPSBURG--Better medical attention, affordable housing, low pensions and taxes on pensions were just some of the issues presented at the Home Away from Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation lunch and meeting with Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams.

The luncheon at John Larmonie Centre yesterday, Friday, served as a celebration of Day for Older Persons, October 1, and an opportunity for seniors to share topics of interest. In a proactive strategy the attendees also offered some solutions, including requests for discounts on bus fares and at supermarkets, special tariffs for utilities and tax breaks for seniors instead of hotels.

In her address, the Prime Minister said, "For me it is impossible not to understand the plight of the elderly. ... All of us, including myself, we have to pay GEBE. ... Every month that I am called to pay GEBE, I thank God for the income that I have. I ask myself, 'How are those on a fixed income? How do you manage with an ever increasing GEBE bill?' So I must be aware of what is being felt in our community."

Addressing the issues she said, "The government of St. Maarten needs to recognise our elderly as a special category in society. ... In all our laws and policies and procedures the category of persons beyond pension age ... special consideration should be given. That commitment is what I can give you this afternoon. So that all of the things we are finding, hearing and seeing can then be addressed from that perspective."

According to the Prime Minister this strategy in thinking to amend laws for seniors would in effect change some issues such as how housing is handled, because then they could not be rejected because of lower income levels.

One change that has been made is the policy regarding doctor cards for senior citizens. Instead of having to apply yearly for the cards, the cards of senior citizens who qualify will be valid for a period of five years.

Also present at the luncheon were Ministry of Health, Social Development and Labour staff members.

Olive Hodge, a senior, led the devotion in which she encouraged her peers to stay positive as they petitioned God and the government to provide for things they deserved. "We know that the world we are in is not the world of yesterday. This is a different world. ... Still, let us give God thanks for everything."

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/21405-pm-commits-to-giving-seniors-special-consideration-in-laws.html

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