To learn more about the Automatic IRA, click here.

• Coordinated visits from constituents to Washington and district offices of the bill’s supporters;
• A national write-in effort from volunteers to opinion-leaders and news outlets;
• Ads placed in key outlets encouraging a veto override, if necessary; and
• Continued grassroots contacts to legislative offices. 

  AARP: Senate Does the Right Thing on Medicare Bill Second Time Around

Bill Novelli, AARP’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Senate to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. 

 “They say that life doesn’t give you second chances.  The Senate got a big one this week, and AARP applauds the bipartisan majority of Senators who voted to pass a bill that would protect and improve Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it.  This bill would allow people in Medicare to maintain access to their doctors, improve benefits for low-income, prevention, and mental health programs, and boost quality through national e-prescribing. 

 “Today’s vote – which came less than two weeks after a similar effort fell one vote short – mirrored the broad support with which the House of Representatives earlier passed this bill.  This shows what can happen when leaders in Washington break through partisan gridlock.

 “We hope the President recognizes the overwhelming bipartisan support that passed this bill in both chambers of Congress and signs it into law.”

    AARP, "Identifying At-Risk Drivers Critical to Making Roads Safe– But Alternatives to Driving Also Key"  

 Washington – In reaction to driver licensing recommendations issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety today, AARP released the following statement from Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond:

   "By 2030, more than 71.5 million people will be age 65+ and drivers 65 and older will represent a quarter of all drivers. With less than a generation to spare, we must build consensus around how to keep the roads safe for everyone. We must empower safe drivers to stay on the road for as long as possible, and we must create options for at-risk drivers so they are free to hang up their keys without losing their mobility.

  "Investment now in research to develop effective ways to identify at-risk drivers will make the roads safer for everyone as our population ages and we applaud the AAA Foundation for affectively addressing part of the challenge of licensing from a variety of perspectives: health, driving fitness, and family and community involvement. Further, AARP supports AAA’s recommendation for regular, in-person driver license renewal for all.

  "The closer engagement of the medical community and the expansion of services helping at-risk drivers transition out of driving will make it easier for those who should hang up their keys.

  "AARP is optimistic that by focusing on the challenges raised by a growing population of older drivers, we will help make roads safer for everyone and for generations to come. Left turn lanes and signals, improved lighting and better signage will reduce driving mistakes and save lives of all ages. Cars themselves are becoming safer and emerging technology will improve their safety even more.

  "Finally, we all have a responsibility to monitor our own driving skills and those of our family members, young and old. As today’s report states, ‘Driving is considered a privilege but mobility is a human right . . . people who cannot drive safely should not be allowed to drive, but there must be good options for them to get around once they stop driving.’"

  Read the AAA Foundation report here.

Last Thursday, before departing to observe the July 4th holiday, Massachusetts legislators approved next year's state budget.

The Commonwealth is facing fiscal challenges. However, the Massachusetts Legislature chose to fund critical programs and services for our residents.

Prescription Drug Costs
-New program and funding for evidence based outreach and education program.

Prescription Advantage
- Full funding.
- Maintained structural integrity and hold enrollees harmless by keeping cost sharing at 2007 levels and prohibiting increases without legislative approval.
- Ongoing open enrollment.

Long Term Care Continuum
- Adequate funding for a long term care continuum, that includes high quality, affordable skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, senior housing, and home and community based services, to meet the needs of our aging population.
- Adequate funding to provide home and community based care that enables older and disabled persons to remain healthy and independent.
- Adequate funding of skilled nursing facilities -- which often care for the most frail and vulnerable individuals; including the nursing home criteria known as "Score 3".
- New funding to rebalance the system to allow for more home and community based care.
- Increased funding for the Councils on Aging and Senior Centers.

Health Care Reform
- Adequate funding to implement the new health care reform law so that consumers will have access to affordable insurance products with meaningful benefits.
- Outreach grants to educate residents and assist in enrolling them in health care insurance coverage.

Money Management Program
- Maintained funding to operate the program statewide.

Please make 2 important calls today!
1. Contact your representative and senator at (617) 722-2000 and thank them for continuing to support important programs and services that help our residents remain healthy, independent and economically secure.
2. Contact Governor Patrick at (617) 725-4000 and urge him to approve the budget as submitted.

Thank you again for your continued advocacy on these very important matters. 

 Congressman Richard Neal was a recent guest writer for AARP's blog SHAARPSession.  Check out what he had to say by clicking here.