CAMERON, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri delegation of the state’s Silver-Haired Legislature met recently to prepare bills for the assembly’s annual session set for the fall.

The delegates voted for two priority bills from the area to the Missouri General Assembly — along with two alternate bills — which will be submitted during the Silver-Haired session in October. The state’s delegation will vote to submit five priority bills for the Missouri General Assembly’s consideration in 2010.

One priority focuses on raising the asset level to $2,000 for residents applying for Medicaid benefits. The current asset level is $999 and a change is sought to meet current living costs and individuals’ needs.

A second priority will highlight allowing a 25 percent Missouri income tax credit for any taxpayer or corporation that donates cash or its equivalent to a Missouri senior center. Supporters said the tax credit will encourage private donations to community-based senior centers to meet increased costs of providing services to older Missourians.

One of the alternate bills seeks to recommend a single point of entry for senior citizens accessing health care needs. A second alternate bill will attempt to revive the Insure Missouri initiative for residents who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid and others with special or catastrophic health care needs.

The delegates selected the priorities from among 15 areas of concern.