AARP

Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Immediately to Address Lack of Social Security COLA

October 1, 2009 -- Washington, DC –With an expected announcement of no Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010, AARP CEO Barry Rand called on House and Senate leaders to provide $250 in emergency relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling in this economic climate.

AARP will work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to urge quick passage of legislation that will help combat rising health care and prescription drug costs that consume an increasing amount of seniors’ income each year.    » read more »

Data Shows Job Loss, Delaying Retirement, Sleep Deprivation and Paying for Necessities Weigh Heavy on Population

September 30, 2009 -- Washington, DC – AARP released a new survey today which shows that Americans age 45 and older are still struggling financially and are forced to make hard decisions about their economic security despite recent positive changes in the marketplace.    » read more »

Boomers Skipping Care, Likely Driving Up Future Costs; 1 in 5 People in Medicare Have Experienced Waste, Fraud or Abuse

September 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—As AARP continues to fight for health care reforms that will reduce costs and improve access to coverage, new survey data released today find many older Americans—particularly baby boomers—need help more than ever.

The AARP Closer LookSM survey finds more than one-third of boomers (36 percent) and nearly a quarter of people 65-plus (23 percent) are not confident their insurance and savings would cover the costs of a major illness.    » read more »

September, 2009 -- More than a full year after gas prices peaked above $4.00 a gallon, Americans still report changing driving habits and worrying about gas costs.

In AARP’s Closer Look poll, the first of a series of quarterly polls of boomers and older Americans planned for regular release by AARP, half (51%) of all Americans age 45+ reported having had trouble paying for gas or driving less to cut costs in the past year. In fact, more people age 45+ reported problems with gas prices than reported problems paying their medical bills or experiencing losses in the financial markets.    » read more »

September 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- AARP Executive Vice President John Rother released this statement following today’s introduction of health care reform legislation in the Senate Finance Committee:

“Today’s legislation moves the process forward and we hope the Chairman and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle can continue to have a rational, informed debate about its provisions as the committee’s markup process begins.    » read more »

Health reform can improve Medicare, limit insurance company subsidies

September 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President John Rother today responded to a report on hospital readmissions in the Medicare Advantage program by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Rother’s statement follows:

“AARP has long been a champion of improving care coordination, chronic disease management and prevention. That’s why we’re fighting for the kinds of health care reforms that this study advocates—like reducing avoidable hospital readmissions and providing better access to preventive care.    » read more »

New AARP Survey Shows Support For Increased Consumer Protections in Financial Industry

September 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC – AARP Executive Vice President, Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech today on Wall Street:

“Older Americans saw their retirement savings decimated by the economic crisis. AARP has long maintained that consumers must be armed with as much information as possible so that they can make sound financial decisions. In a world where individuals must plan for their own financial futures, information is imperative and greater protections are needed in the marketplace.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—By the end of this summer, more than one million older Americans will have fallen into the “doughnut hole”—a coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug program that leaves individuals on the hook for all of their own drug costs while still paying premiums. AARP is launching a new online resource to help older Americans avoid this dreaded coverage gap.    » read more »

Remarks By The President On The Medicare Part D "Doughnut Hole" And AARP Endorsement

June 22, 2009 -- Diplomatic Reception Room -- THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, first of all, I want to thank Barry Rand for the introduction, but also AARP, the organization he so ably represents, for coming together with us on this critical issue today.

Last week, in my address to the American Medical Association, I spoke about the urgent need for health care reform and what will be required to achieve it. And one of the things that will be required, I said, was that everyone in our health care community is going to have to come together and do their part.    » read more »

CEO Rand: Americans “will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life”

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—This morning, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand delivered the following remarks at the White House announcement of a new agreement to substantially fill the Medicare Part D coverage gap:

“Thank you Mr. President. AARP is proud to stand with you and Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd to announce that the gap in Medicare’s drug coverage, known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ will be substantially filled for millions of middle income Americans as part of health reform.

“I want to applaud Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd, who continue to be champions for this issue and have always fought for people struggling to make ends meet. We are honored to stand with you today.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON— AARP Executive Vice President for Social Impact Nancy LeaMond commended the partnership announced today by HUD, DOT and EPA to apply a series of “livability principles” to federal transportation, environmental protection and housing spending.

AARP has long advocated for livable communities that have affordable and appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options which together facilitate personal health independence and engagement in community life.

LeaMond said:    » read more »

“Empowered at Home Act” would reduce costly Medicaid bias

June 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—More than one million Americans are living in nursing homes, but many would prefer to receive the services they need in their own homes, where they would be more comfortable and potentially save the health care system money in the long run. Unfortunately, many Americans who want to be cared for at home can’t because of a costly institutional bias in Medicaid, which pays for nearly two-thirds of the country’s nursing home residents.

While state Medicaid programs are required to provide nursing home care, home and community-based services that are often less expensive are optional, leaving them first in line to be cut in a poor economy.    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Rep. Valerie Longhurst and Sen. Patricia Blevins joined with advocates Wednesday to call for greater protections for senior citizens and Delawareans with disabilities.

Markell thanked Longhurst and Blevins for introducing House Bill 165, which will give the public online access to the Adult Abuse Registry. Delawareans seeking to hire someone to help care for their elderly loved one could easily go online and check the job applicant’s name against the registry. HB 165 is scheduled to receive a committee hearing later this month.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- As lawmakers return to Washington to tackle health care reform, AARP is pressing them to improve the country’s long-term care system as a part of comprehensive reform. Millions of older Americans rely on Medicaid for the long-term services and supports they need, but the program’s bias toward institutional care prevents most from getting more affordable care where they want it: their own homes.

“It’s shameful that so many people are forced into nursing homes when we could improve their quality of life and typically spend less money by caring for them at home,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “As we overhaul the health care system, we need to build on win-win solutions that expand choices and could save billions of dollars.”    » read more »

Conrad Joins AARP, F-M Chamber for Health Care Forum

May 27, 2009 -- Fargo – With Congress poised to take up health care reform this summer, Senator Kent Conrad today outlined the three major principles he said should be the bedrock of any legislation: choice, value and coverage.

Senator Conrad made his health care presentation during a forum organized by the North Dakota Chapter of the AARP. Other speakers at the forum represented the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, the North Dakota Farmers Union, the Service Employees International Union and the AARP. The one-hour forum was moderated by Prairie Public television.    » read more »