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A new poll of AARP members released today finds strong support across party and ideological lines for elements of health care reform included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole, was endorsed by AARP.
Among AARP members, strong majorities reported that many of the bill’s key provisions were convincing reasons to support the legislation. These include strictly limiting insurers from charging much higher premiums because of age (68%), closing the gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole (69%) and improving coverage for critical preventive services like cancer screenings (77%).
While a partisan divide was evident in the AARP survey, when respondents were asked about the current plan in Congress, AARP members supported the legislation by more than a 2 to 1 (63%-30%) margin. More than half of self-described independents indicated support for the plan.
Other reform elements with high levels of support among AARP members included ensuring Americans can see the doctor of their choice (76%), stopping insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person’s health history (75%) and ensuring Americans can keep their current coverage (78%). Majorities of self-identified Republicans supported most of the reform elements presented, including stopping discrimination because of pre-existing conditions (66%), covering routine preventive care (64%) and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices (64%).
“The bill recently passed by the House incorporates the reforms that our members care most about," said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, senior state director of AARP in Arkansas. "We’ll continue the fight for these critical elements as the Senate takes up its own legislation in the coming weeks. Our members, and all older Americans, are counting on lawmakers to reform the health care system this year.”
Starting on Tuesday, November 17th, AARP will launch a new national television ad on a mix of news, lifestyle, cable and sports channels. The ad, entitled “HELP,” demonstrates that people from all walks of life are feeling stranded by the current health care system. It calls attention to the need for the kind of health care reform AARP has been fighting for: reform that will put patients first, protect Medicare, bring down drug costs and ensure that no one can be denied affordable health care because of their age or health history.
AARP surveyed its members on key health care reform provisions supported by AARP, as well as other contentious issues being discussed in the debate. The telephone survey, fielded October 30 to November 8, 2009, was conducted with randomly selected members of AARP. The nationally representative sample of 803 AARP members has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.
Added: November 17, 2009
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“These bills represent hope for 50-64 year old Arkansans who are uninsured as well as for the state’s Medicare beneficiaries.”
AARP announced its endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the accompanying Medicare physician payment fix (H.R. 3961). The Association’s support follows nearly two years of work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to craft a health care reform plan that meets the needs of AARP’s nearly 40 million members and all older Americans. Among those needs are reforms that strictly curb insurance companies’ discrimination against older Americans and Medicare improvements that strengthen benefits while protecting the program for future generations.
“These bills represent hope for more than 70 thousand Arkansans age 50 to 64 who are uninsured and for too many Arkansans on Medicare who still spend 30 percent of their income for health care,” said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP Arkansas state director.
This endorsement marks the first time in this legislative battle that AARP has put its full weight behind a comprehensive health care reform package. In the coming days, AARP will be educating its members about the health care reform package through its publications, paid advertising and more than five million calls and e-mails to its grassroots activists.
“The House health care reform proposals AARP is endorsing address several of the concerns our members have expressed about their health care,” Diaz said. “Arkansas’s congressional delegation will hear from those AARP members and more,” she declared.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act contain critical components AARP has been fighting for on behalf of its members and all older Americans to improve health care for them and their families. They include:
--Protecting and strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees;
--Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare’s
payments to doctors;
--Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole;”
--Taking steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program;
--Requiring Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for
diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge;
--Preventing insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health;
--Limiting how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket;
--Providing affordable health insurance options for those who don’t have insurance; and
--Providing benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.
Diaz added: “We cannot continue to let insurers price older Americans out of the market, just as we cannot stand idle while millions of seniors are forced to choose between their groceries and their prescriptions. AARP is proud to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and we urge all the members of the Arkansas congressional delegation to pass this critical package in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.”
To watch a television news interview with Diaz which was broadcast on KARK-TV, Channel 4, click the link below.
Added: November 11, 2009
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Views: 20 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP Offers Driving Tips for Night Driving; November Proclaimed Driver Safety Month
The end of Daylight Savings time on Nov. 1 doesn’t just mean you’re getting an extra hour of sleep. Setting clocks back one hour also means an extra hour of night driving, which can be problematic for everyone, particularly older drivers.
Even on familiar roads, motorists should use caution and watch for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who will be less visible, especially during the first week of the time change. AARP urges all drivers to consider the link between night visibility and safe driving. If you have trouble seeing well at night, get your vision checked and consider taking a driver safety course to learn more about how to compensate in dark conditions and make sure you’re driving when you feel most comfortable.
To focus attention on roadway safety, AARP is proclaiming this November Driver Safety Month. Since folks will be driving more at night, AARP offers the following tips:
· See and be seen. Get your headlights checked, and turn them on one hour before sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to ensure maximum visibility.
· Stay alert on the road. With reduced visibility, it’s important to reduce your speed, be extra alert, and maintain a three-second following distance.
· Recognize and prevent drowsiness. The change in time can throw off our internal clock and may cause drowsiness, so run errands in the morning when you are fresher and more alert.
· Avoid sun glare. You may need to adjust to early morning or late afternoon sun glare that can cause reflections off car windows and hoods and decrease your visibility.
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants nationwide seeking to refresh their driving skills. The no-test course updates drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect driving ability.
The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and since November is also National Caregiver Month, now may be a good time to have a “family conversation” about driving to help ensure your loved one stays safe on the road.
Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, graduates of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses – both classroom and online – may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. All participants should check with their provider for further details.
Find information on local courses, via telephone 1-888-227-7669 or online. www.aarp.org/drive. Find more information about AARP’s online course. www.aarp.org/drive/online.
Added: November 5, 2009
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“These bills represent hope for 50-64 year old Arkansans who are uninsured as well as for the state’s Medicare beneficiaries.”
LITTLE ROCK - Today AARP announced its endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the accompanying Medicare physician payment fix (H.R. 3961). The Association’s support follows nearly two years of work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to craft a health care reform plan that meets the needs of AARP’s nearly 40 million members and all older Americans. Among those needs are reforms that strictly curb insurance companies’ discrimination against older Americans and Medicare improvements that strengthen benefits while protecting the program for future generations.
“These bills represent hope for more than 70 thousand Arkansans age 50 to 64 who are uninsured and for too many Arkansans on Medicare who still spend 30 percent of their income for health care,” said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP Arkansas state director.
Today’s endorsement marks the first time in this legislative battle that AARP has put its full weight behind a comprehensive health care reform package. In the coming days, AARP will be educating its members about the health care reform package through its publications, paid advertising and more than five million calls and e-mails to its grassroots activists.
“The House health care reform proposals AARP is endorsing address several of the concerns our members have expressed about their health care,” Diaz said. “Arkansas’s congressional delegation will hear from those AARP members and more,” she declared.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act contain critical components AARP has been fighting for on behalf of its members and all older Americans to improve health care for them and their families. They include:
--Protecting and strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees;
--Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare’s
payments to doctors;
--Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole;”
--Taking steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program;
--Requiring Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for
diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge;
--Preventing insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health;
--Limiting how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket;
--Providing affordable health insurance options for those who don’t have insurance; and
--Providing benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.
Diaz added: “We cannot continue to let insurers price older Americans out of the market, just as we cannot stand idle while millions of seniors are forced to choose between their groceries and their prescriptions. AARP is proud to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and we urge all the members of the Arkansas congressional delegation to pass this critical package in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.”
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 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 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.
30 – 30 – 30
Added: November 5, 2009
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Views: 20 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
“These bills represent hope for 50-64 year old Arkansans who are uninsured as well as for the state’s Medicare beneficiaries.”
LITTLE ROCK - Today AARP announced its endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the accompanying Medicare physician payment fix (H.R. 3961). The Association’s support follows nearly two years of work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to craft a health care reform plan that meets the needs of AARP’s nearly 40 million members and all older Americans. Among those needs are reforms that strictly curb insurance companies’ discrimination against older Americans and Medicare improvements that strengthen benefits while protecting the program for future generations.
“These bills represent hope for more than 70 thousand Arkansans age 50 to 64 who are uninsured and for too many Arkansans on Medicare who still spend 30 percent of their income for health care,” said Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP Arkansas state director.
Today’s endorsement marks the first time in this legislative battle that AARP has put its full weight behind a comprehensive health care reform package. In the coming days, AARP will be educating its members about the health care reform package through its publications, paid advertising and more than five million calls and e-mails to its grassroots activists.
“The House health care reform proposals AARP is endorsing address several of the concerns our members have expressed about their health care,” Diaz said. “Arkansas’s congressional delegation will hear from those AARP members and more,” she declared.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act contain critical components AARP has been fighting for on behalf of its members and all older Americans to improve health care for them and their families. They include:
--Protecting and strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees;
--Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare’s
payments to doctors;
--Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole;”
--Taking steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program;
--Requiring Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for
diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge;
--Preventing insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health;
--Limiting how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket;
--Providing affordable health insurance options for those who don’t have insurance; and
--Providing benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.
- more –
Diaz added: “We cannot continue to let insurers price older Americans out of the market, just as we cannot stand idle while millions of seniors are forced to choose between their groceries and their prescriptions. AARP is proud to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and we urge all the members of the Arkansas congressional delegation to pass this critical package in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.”
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 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 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.
30 – 30 – 30
Added: November 5, 2009
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Views: 21 | Comments: 1 | Bookmarks: 0
The following are excerpts from a speech on health care reform made by Dr. William "Bill" Hall, AARP Board member, at the 2009 Long-term Care Policy Summit in Little Rock in September 2009.
As many as 7 million of all persons age 50-64 are uninsured today - nearly 70,000 right here in Arkansas. And people in Medicare, which includes one of every five Arkansas residents, are spending 30 percent of their income on health care.
As we've listened to our members about their health care concerns, we've heard a great deal of confusion, frustration, anger, and desperation. They have been pretty clear about what they would like to see us achieve for them.
Too many of our members have been denied coverage because they have a pre-existing condition. Others have fallen victim to insurance companies that charge expensive rates they couldn't afford. AARP strongly supports the House of Representatives-sponsored provisions to limit age rating to no more than a 2-to-1 ratio.
AARP also supports providing subsidies to individuals up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Without these subsidies, many of our members will not be able to afford coverage or the cost sharing for covered care.
We have made it clear that any final health care reform plan must use savings from removing waste, fraud, and inefficiency in Medicare to: 1. close the Part D "doughnut hole"; 2. pay doctors more fairly so our members will continue to have access to the doctors they want; 3. covering more preventive services such as cancer screenings; and, 4. keep premiums and out-of-pocket costs fair.
Also, health care reform must protect consumers and choices by making sure no one will get between them and their doctor: not insurance companies -- not the government -- and that no one will tell them which doctors or treatments they should have.
And health care reform should ensure that all Americans know that if they lose their job or change jobs, they will be able to get affordable, quality health insurance.
AARP has endorsed the Medicare Transitional Act, which would assist individuals and provide family caregivers in managing medications and treatments and provide resources and support. It would save Medicare dollars and reduce the number of Medicare beneficiaries who are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their discharge
Enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds for home and community-based services could provide incentives for states to make short-term investments that save money and improve lives
Congress should focus on improving the quality of care and reducing costs for individuals who are "dual eligibles" - eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Some say that health care reform is too expensive and we can't afford to fix it. The fact is if we do nothing to fix health care, in the next seven years families with Medicare or employer-based health coverage will likely see their premiums nearly double again and the share of family income spent on health care will nearly double.
The fact is, AARP believes we can't afford not to fix health care.
Added: November 3, 2009
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Views: 111 | Comments: 3 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP is focused on improving the health and quality of life in all communities, including the black community. Find out more about what AARP has to offer the African American community by visiting www.aarp.org/black_community. You’ll find a wide selection of health education material there plus much more.
We know that serious health concerns like stroke, diabetes and heart disease strike a deadlier blow among African Americans than for some other segments of society.
Fortunately, research shows that diabetes and many chronic diseases can be delayed or even prevented in people with high risk.
Health screenings are a critical method for preventing these chronic diseases by detecting potential diseases before symptoms are noticed.
AARP and Walgreens have teamed up for a two-year national mobile health screening tour to administer more than 2.5 million free health screenings this year worth more than $60 million.
The six free screenings are administered by trained medical technicians inside the customized AARP/Walgreens Wellness tour bus.
Results are instantly provided and everyone who is screened is encouraged to visit a doctor or health care provider to discuss the results.
About 250 people came to the AARP/Walgreens Tour Bus on Wednesday, September 30th, and nearly 200 received free health screenings. According to the Walgreens bus team of technicians and staff, the participation in West Memphis set a new team record for a single day of health screenings at one location.
AARP volunteer Dewery Watkins said, “It’s the personal relationships that made it happen.” Watkins, her husband, Robert, and several other members of the West Memphis and Forrest City chapter of AARP volunteered at the event. The Watkins helped publicize the event by getting event fliers into the hands of the right people at churches, area agencies on aging, senior citizen housing complexes, and the junior college. Key partners worked diligently to spread the word, including Christine Simpson, manager of Walgreens at 1800 Missouri; Yvette Barnes of Life Enrichment and Development and Terri Williams of the Delta Institute on Aging.
AARP volunteers in Helena-West Helena braved the rain to help residents of their medically underserved community get free health screenings on the AARP/Walgreens Bus at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in October. In fact, people attending the festival from all over the world were screened. Emma Petty, president of the Helena-West Helena chapter, said 96 ads on gospel stations reaching approximately 250,000 people in eastern Arkansas prompted local residents to inquire about the free screenings and free AARP memberships. Listen to the ad at AA/B Radio ad for AARP/Walgreens bus tour , AARP volunteers are following up with the local residents who were screened to make sure they complete the forms and mail them in to get their free memberships.
The media exposure for a Little Rock event in the continuing African American/Black outreach campaign for AARP Arkansas also included a news story on the CBS TV affiliate station, KTHV. Watch the article, featuring AARP Senior State Director Maria Reynolds-Diaz, an African American woman going through the screening process, and a Tour Bus spokesperson at http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=92781.
Almost 250 60-second ads ran on gospel and urban adult stations, KOKY 102.1 FM, Praise 102.5 and 102.7 FM, and Power 92.3 FM in Little Rock, another area of significant African American population. Another 75 promos reached about 62,200 African Americans. In addition, two-hour live radio remote broadcasts were aired from three AARP/Walgreens bus tour stops in Little Rock during October.
AARP volunteers on the state's diversity outreach team are following up to remind visitors to the tour bus to send in their forms and get a free membership. Emma Rand, diversity team chairperson, said "The entire AARP/Walgreens Bus Tour has been a huge success in Arkansas. I highly recommend it to any AARP chapter or hub leaders who are looking for strong community service projects that life the AARP image by providing a valued service to residents."
Below are links to some news articles about the stops on the Fox16 web site and in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the state’s largest daily newspaper (189,000 daily circulation).
Added: October 20, 2009
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Called “I Participate,” the Entertainment Industry Foundation hopes to make service a part of who we are as Americans--and AARP’s Create The Good is sharing the spotlight.
TV ads and network shows which aired in October pointed viewers to iparticipateusa.org, which features a prominent link to the newly redesigned CreateTheGood.org Web site.
AARP has produced a Create The Good public service announcement starring country singing celebrity Faith Hill. Chances are you did if you watch primetime TV during EIF week in October. About 70 network daytime and primetime shows featured a service theme as part of their story lines. (See Bulletin Today’s “On Prime Time – a Push for Volunteers.”)
Added: October 20, 2009
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Views: 37 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Twenty AARP Volunteers in Central Arkansas were briefed on latest developments in health care reform (HCR) and trained on the newest message framework by Associate State Directors Herb Sanderson and Pat Jones. Separately, volunteers Billie Dougherty, Dwayne Van Sickle, and James Brooks. Associate State Director for Outreach Lou Tobian took the HCR message on the road to two regional health expos (1800 employees of the City of Little Rock and 125 seniors at the Cabot Senior Health Fair).Staff and volunteers also made HCR presentations to an alumni association, the Mountain Home Chapter, and the Arkansas Long-Term Care Balancing Advisory Group.
AARP National Board member, Dr. Bill Hall, was featured in an article on Health Care Reform in the October issue of Aging Arkansas.
Speaker of the Arkansas House Robbie Wills appoints Associate State Director Lou Tobian to the newly formed Advisory Committee for the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The fund was created during this year’s legislative session through the efforts of a broad coalition of groups. AARP Arkansas took a leadership role in the coalition.
AARP Arkansas Senior State Director, Maria Reynolds-Diaz joined the Arkansas Association of Nursing Home Reform, the Attorney General, and the State Ombudsman as a speaker at a press conference during National Long-Term Care Residents Rights Week. Speakers honored residents and caregivers in long-term care facilities and reaffirmed that all nursing home residents and their families should be aware of their rights so they may be empowered to live with dignity and self-determination. Also honored were local long-term care ombudsman programs and volunteers who work daily to promote residents rights, assist residents with complaints, and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care facility.
AARP and Walgreens attracted attention at the Arkansas State Fair during the fair’s final weekend. Staff Members, Maria Reynolds-Diaz, and Pat Jones joined Hub area lead volunteer, Emma Rand and members of AARP's Highland Park chapter to greet, distribute literature, and direct fair attendees to the AARP, Walgreen’s Health Screening bus. Over 420 were screened during the three days. Some participants shared their stories about lack of access to a regular physician, or health insurance and voiced concerns as to what to do if their results were found to be outside the normal range. The AARP Walgreens Health Screening bus was featured on the Channel 11, the CBS local affiliate on October 17. The segment covered the purpose of the national bus tour and showed interviews from Senior State Director, Maria Reynolds-Diaz, the Walgreen’s spokesperson, and a pleased recipient of services.
Added: October 20, 2009
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Views: 47 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Right after dinner on September 1st, 100,000 Arkansas households received a phone call. The caller was AARP Arkansas, and AARP’s live guest was U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D). The topic was improving access to affordable, quality health care.
Maria Reynolds-Diaz, AARP Arkansas state director, hosted a one-hour tele town hall with Senator Lincoln to give the state’s AARP members direct access to their senior U.S. senator. Approximately 7,000 of those households which were called by AARP participated in a live conversation with Senator Lincoln. Another 10,000 or so were invited to visit AARP’s Health Action Now web site for a chance to email their congressmen and U.S. senators. During the call, some Arkansans shared good and bad experiences with health insurance and health care systems, as well as the experiences of their friends and family members.
Notably absent from the tele town hall was the angry heckling which characterized some of the live town hall meetings on health reform held in August. News reports described some audience members around the nation heckling some congressmen as they talked about the provisions of health reform bills being debated.
A few weeks later, AARP co-sponsored, with the state Department of Aging and Adult Services, a summit on long-term care featuring former U.S. Senator David Pryor as the keynote speaker. Pryor compared the August 2009 town hall meetings on health reform to important discussions about Social Security in the 1980’s because in both cases the status quo is/was not an option. “There were no shots fired, no screeching shouts, Pryor recalled. “It was a civil discourse among people with different viewpoints, different philosophies - and we came together. A little different from today.”
Closing his address to the audience of about 200 health policy and service professionals, former senator said
Our country was built on the bedrock of healthy skepticism. The governing principles of our Constitution are as much about limiting power as granting power. We know that-and those rights must be cherished, nurtured and protected. Otherwise our healthy skepticism turns to cynicism and we abandon ship, allowing those who feed on fear and preach suspicion and distrust to become the pirates of our destiny.
It can’t be this way. We owe America too much to back away and give up.
Two reports on reforming Arkansas’s long-term care system were released at the summit, “Choices in Living for Arkansans with Long Term Care Needs,” and “Recommendations to Balance Arkansas’s Long Term Care System.” Both reports are available at http://www.daas/ar/gov.
Added: October 20, 2009
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