AARP Online Community: AARPCT

AARPCT

Offline

My Badges

Create The Good

Background

Name: AARPCT

Location:
Hartford, Connecticut
United States

Work:
AARP Connecticut State Office (866) 295-7279 toll-free

Hometown(s):
AARP Connecticut 21 Oak St., Suite 104 Hartford, Conn. 06106

My Websites:
http://www.aarp.org/ct
www.ctretiredteachers.org

Quote:
"What We Do, We Do For All" - Ethel Percy Andrus (founder, AARP)

My Comments (6)

About Me

The AARP Connecticut office is located on the first floor of Capitol Place (21 Oak Street), around the corner from the State Capitol and the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. In Connecticut, AARP has more than 600,000 members who comprise about 40 percent of all the state's voters. More than 50 percent of the state's residents 50 and older are members of AARP. AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to our members through information, advocacy and service. An Executive Council, made up of AARP volunteers, advises the state office on policy issues and assists us in our advocacy and public outreach efforts. In addition to advocating for issues of importance to older adults at the State Capitol and with our Congressional delegation, AARP Connecticut also supports various community service programs - including Driver Safety, Tax-Aide and Benefits Outreach. We are always looking for new volunteers to assist us in our advocacy and community service work, as well as for special programs and events. If you are interested in joining our efforts as a volunteer, please email us at ctaarp@aarp.org

Interests:

Advocacy, Volunteering, Health Care Reform, Financial Security, Divided We Fail, Create the Good

More About Me

My Photos (65)

All My Photos

My Videos (0)

This user does not have any videos.

All My Videos

My Journals (139)

AARP RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR'S MID-TERM BUDGET PROPOSAL

Association Urges Governor, Legislators to “Remember the People Behind the Numbers”

AARP Connecticut State Director Brenda Kelley issued the following statement in response to the recently released Governor’s Mid-Term Budget Adjustments:

“AARP applauds the Governor and our Legislature’s commitment to create jobs and strengthen Connecticut’s economy. We are encouraged by what seems like bi-partisan agreement on several of the Governor’s economic proposals, and we are hopeful that our leaders will continue to work together to find bi-partisan solutions to our state’s most pressing problems.

“Unfortunately, the Governor is once again recommending several proposals that would harm many of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, at a time when they need help the most. During tough economic times, we need to remember the people behind the numbers and not make short-sighted budgetary decisions that will end up costing the state more in the long run.”

“AARP is specifically concerned with the Governor’s proposals to:

· Cut $10.7 million from the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, which allows people to receive long-term care services and supports that keep them in their homes and out of costly institutions. The majority of Americans age 50+ (89%) want to stay in their homes as long as they can, and the cost of receiving care at home is about one third the cost of a nursing facility.

· Cut $1 million from the Alzheimer’s Respite Program, which provides needed support for family caregivers caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. The Program was closed to new recipients in 2009 as a result of budget constraints and 400 people are currently waiting for critical services. In Connecticut, there are more than 370,000 residents providing family care-giving to a loved one at home, with an economic value of about $4.9 billion. The Alzheimer’s Respite Program saves the state Medicaid dollars while providing family caregivers a much-needed break.

· Impose cost-sharing requirements on individuals receiving Medicaid. Research has shown that increased patient cost-sharing, even by just a few dollars, is counterproductive in containing costs. Cost-sharing results in fewer doctor visits, skipped medications and increased hospital stays, often requiring more costly care.

· Eliminate funding for non-formulary prescription drugs for people on ConnPACE.

“Taken together, these and other proposals will severely restrict access to services that allow people to live independently in the community and avoid costly institutional care, and will force thousands of state residents to forgo the necessary prescription drugs and preventive medical services they need to stay healthy.

“We understand that the state budget is in crisis, but that should not mean cutting vital services for people in need, especially when those services actually save the state money. We look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to find solutions that help balance the budget while protecting Connecticut’s most vulnerable citizens.”

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 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.

Added: February 4, 2010
Views: 9 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

All My Journals

Comments (4)

99peg says:

AARP should not support Obama's health care bill. He is trying to take away seniors rights. HE thinks that the older people are stupid. Fix Medicare and stop trying to take away our health care. He and congress should first sign up for the new system for a few years and then ask us to try it later. Practice on yourself first--we are too important

Posted: August 5, 2009 10:57AM EDT

AARPCT says:

99peg:
Thank you for your comment. Don't be misled. AARP has not endorsed any health reform bill (There are several bills being debated in Congress, however, President Obama has not introduced any legislation) We do support efforts to reform our health care system to provide affordable, quality coverage for our members and all Americans. We believe that the current system is unsustainable and are fighting for common-sense solutions. We have ben working with both sides of the aisle to ensure that the priorities of our members are included in any final health reform package. We don't believe that any of the bills being debated in Congress would threaten the rights of seniors or the Medicare Program. On the contrary, they would strengthen the Medicare Program by weeding out fraud and abuse (saving money that could be reinvested in better care), preserve benefits, lower your out of pocket costs, close the Part D doughnut hole, and preserve your access to doctors and hospitals you choose. Those opposed to reform are using misinformation and lies to scare seniors and that is dispicable.

Posted: August 5, 2009 3:31PM EDT