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Maine House Speaker's Bills Target Aging Issues

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ House Speaker Mark Eves is promoting a series of proposals aimed at making life easier for Maine's aging population.

The Democrat from North Berwick announced the package of bills on Wednesday. He plans to formally introduce the proposals when the Legislature returns in December.

Among the ideas is a $65 million bond to help create 1,000 apartments for seniors across the state. Another bill would increase a property tax credit for low-and-middle income families. The third measure would boost Medicaid reimbursement rates for workers that care for seniors in their homes.

Eves called the measures the first step in facing the "critical need to transform how people age'' in Maine.

Officials estimate that one in four Maine residents will be older than 65 by 2030.