AARP: Conferees Must Include Simulative Actions That Provide Relief To Older Americans

Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-02-11

February 11, 2009

Contact: Alejandra Owens, AARP, 202-434-2560, asowens@aarp.org

Washington, D.C. – As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enters conference, Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate have the opportunity to work together to provide real relief to Americans who have been hit hardest by the economic crisis and jump start our ailing economy.

Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President at AARP, released the following statement today:

“The gravity of the current economic crisis demands swift and thoughtful enactment of legislation that spurs job growth and provides immediate assistance to the millions who are struggling. That is why we are looking forward to bipartisan action in the coming days that will promote economic recovery and provide assistance to people of all ages seeking relief in dire economic conditions.

“Our members and activists have ,contacted Congress and the Administration with over 262,000 phone calls and emails telling them just how important items like an additional Social Security payment for those ineligible for the Make Work Pay credit are to them. We have also collected more than 14,000 personal stories from our members telling us how they have been impacted by this economic crisis. We’ve shared these stories with their Senators and Representatives and urged them to act to address the challenges they are facing.

“Additionally, special attention should be paid to simulative provisions that benefit older Americans and their families. In a letter sent to Conferees by Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP, we specify those provisions which we believe will benefit individuals the most.”

An excerpt of Mr. Novelli’s letter specifically outlines which provisions of both House and Senate versions of the bill AARP believes should be included in the final conference report:
In addition, we also would urge that conferees include the following provisions, which differ substantially in the House and Senate bills, in the final version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:
 Support for $600 million to address critical health care workforce shortages. Approximately half of this funding would be dedicated to tackling the growing nursing shortage by providing a much needed increase in funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs administered by HRSA/HHS. Funding for nurse training will meaningfully contribute to the reduction of the unemployment rate.
 Support funding for health information technology that includes strong privacy protections to ensure that people are notified when their personal health information is breached, and to prevent unwanted marketing to people based on their personal health information. In addition, the bill should require collection and reporting of standardized data on race, ethnicity, primary language, and gender, which can help eliminate health disparities.
 Increase investment in transit capital funding to the $12 billion level in the House bill to create jobs and save energy; and distribute highway funding with no less than 40 percent to local areas as in the Senate bill.
 Funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, at the House level of $6.2 billion, to help low-income families reduce energy costs by increasing their home’s energy efficiency and funding for the LIHEAP program, at the House level of $1 billion, to help more low-income and elderly families pay rising utilities bills.

Finally, AARP strongly supports the inclusion of the following items which are part of both the House and Senate recovery packages:

• A significant increase in Medicaid spending that will help to stimulate the economy and that states desperately need as the current economic downturn causes caseloads to rise while revenues plummet.
• A substantial increase in funding for the Social Security Administration at a time of significant caseload increases.
• An extension and increase in unemployment benefits. Over the past twelve months the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen by 65 percent.
• Affordable health insurance via Medicaid and subsidized and enhanced COBRA for those who have lost health coverage along with jobs.
• Funding for comparative effectiveness research which is critical to improving health care quality.

For a full copy of Mr. Novelli’s letter, please contact Alejandra Owens at 202-434-2560 or asowens@aarp.org.


AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.