BREAKING NEWS

Humphrey Named to AARP National Board

On May 5, Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III, who has served as volunteer State President of AARP Minnesota since 2003, will be named to AARP’s Board of Directors, the official governing body of AARP. “Skip showed outstanding leadership and dedication in his role as State President and he will definitely be missed,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball. “"Now the entire Association will benefit from his guidance and expertise, and we know he will make a terrific Board member."

NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE

AARP Continues to Urge Final Passage of Health Care Reform Legislation

A conference committee of Senate and House members has been meeting to iron out differences in the recently-passed health care reform bills, and AARP continues to urge legislators and the Governor to come together and support suggested reforms.  So far, more than 3,000 AARP members have e-mailed or called their state legislators and Governor Pawlenty to ask them to support the health care reform proposals being discussed.  AARP is supporting health care reforms that will reduce costs, improve quality and empower consumers with information.  “We are very hopeful that lawmakers and Governor Pawlenty will make these reforms a reality for consumers in Minnesota who are tired of paying more for health care and getting less,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball.  “We want every lawmaker to know that AARP members care about health care and want to see improvements for people of all ages.”  In the past few weeks, AARP has been engaging its members and the public in several ways:

• On April 23, AARP led a coalition of supporters in running a full-page ad in the Star Tribune, asking Governor Pawlenty and state legislators to “Fix health care now, or we’ll all pay more later.”  A copy of the ad is included in this mailing for your information.

• AARP set up an AARP Health Care Hotline (1-800-480-4397) to encourage members to connect to their legislators’ offices toll-free and personally urge them to support these important bills.

• We have also connected with members online, sending e-alerts by email to activists, allowing members to directly email their legislators with their thoughts on health care.  The message to legislators is simple: Consumers are tired of paying more for health care and getting less.  Too many Minnesota families are facing financial ruin because of a health care crisis.  Pass health care reform this session and help stem the tide of rising costs of individuals, businesses and government.

• Two separate “teletown” hall meetings were held over the phone, reaching a total of 9,500 AARP members across the state with information about the reform proposals.

• AARP State President Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III and staff recently met with the Governor’s Chief of Staff Matt Kramer to urge the Governor to take an active role in formulating a bipartisan health care reform package that can be signed into law.

“We see these reforms as common-sense, middle-ground proposals that all sides can hopefully accept,” said Kimball.  “It’s time to put politics aside and give Minnesotans health care reforms.”

Bill to Support Family Caregivers Passes Senate Floor

AARP is pleased that Senate File 1128, a proposal to allow employees to take earned sick time to care for an aging loved one, was approved this week by the State Senate.  Last year, AARP began urging lawmakers to better recognize the needs of family caregivers, who provide most of the long-term care given in society.  Both sessions, AARP has supported a proposal to allow employees to use earned sick leave to spend time away from their job to take care of loved ones in need of long-term care.  AARP is urging lawmakers to consider this legislation in order to help alleviate the financial hardship that caregivers experience.  A similar measure is moving through the House. AARP prefers the language in the Senate bill and will work with the authors to ensure that language is passed that we can support.

Property Tax Proposal Considered by House

AARP is monitoring proposed property tax reform legislation moving through the Minnesota House of Representatives.  The goal of the legislation is to bring property taxes more in line with an individual’s ability to pay, but the measure is still under study. The plan proposes a Homestead Credit State Refund program that applies to property taxes that exceed two percent of household income. This program would apply to households with income up to $200,000 and is revenue neutral, meaning that overall taxes are the same, but some will see higher taxes and others lower.  The plan will take three existing property tax programs; the Homeowner’s Property Tax Refund, the Market Value Homestead Credit and the Itemized Deduction for Property taxes and reallocate them under the new formula. AARP is supportive of Minnesota’s current Property Tax Refund and Market Value Homestead Credit, and believes additional analysis is needed to determine the feasibility of merging these two proven programs for a new one. Options to enhance the current Property Tax Refund Program and change its current income restriction should also be available for comparison.  AARP is appreciative that the proposal does keep in place the Renters Credit Program for Minnesota renters.

AARP Monitors Budget Debate

As state leaders grapple with how to resolve the $935 million budget deficit, AARP is watching closely to ensure that Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents, including long-term care residents, are protected from cuts.  Stay tuned as this debate continues.

UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON

Urgent Vote on Medicare Part B Premiums Approaching: Sign the Petitions Now

Action in the U.S. Senate on a proposal that may raise Medicare premiums is imminent. The Senate must pass a bill by June 30^th to prevent a scheduled decrease in payments to doctors.  This may mean increases to Medicare Part B premiums unless Congress acts to prevent beneficiaries from taking a hit.  Since 2000, monthly Medicare premiums have more than doubled. Most people on Medicare don't have any other option for health care. Yet skyrocketing health care costs are eroding their standard of living, and Medicare premiums are rising faster than their Social Security cost of living adjustments (COLA).  Go to www.keepmedicarefair.org and sign the Keep Medicare Fair petition and help us reach our national goal of gathering 200,000 signatures to tell Congress that raising Medicare premiums even higher to cover skyrocketing health care costs is just not fair!  Call Senator Norm Coleman 1-800-642-6041 and Senator Amy Klobuchar 1-888-224-9043 and encourage them both to oppose increases in Medicare Part B premiums.

AARP Thanks Minnesota’s Representatives for Supporting Bill to Protect People In Medicaid

Association urges Senators Coleman and Klobuchar to quickly pass companion bill and send measure to President

[APRIL 23, 2008]  AARP thanked the supporters and cosponsors of the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, which passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill prevents massive increases in costs for people in Medicaid by stopping harmful cuts proposed by the administration.

AARP thanked members of the Minnesota delegation who cosponsored the bill in the House:  Rep. Tim Walz [MN-1], Rep. Jim Ramstad [MN-3], Rep. Betty McCollum [MN-4], Rep. Keith Ellison [MN-5], and Rep. Jim Oberstar [MN-8].

 “Today’s vote is a victory for all Minnesotans who rely on Medicaid as the safety net of our health care system,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball.  “With 47 million Americans uninsured, our country and our state cannot afford to make it any harder for our most vulnerable to pay for their health care.”

Minnesota’s Medicaid director estimated the impact of the proposed cuts to be$758 million for the state.  While AARP supports smart policies to stop fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid, the cuts proposed by the administration threaten the integrity of the program and shift unreasonable costs to the people in Medicaid and the states.

“We’re proud that our U.S. Representatives recognized the harm the administration’s proposals would have done to people on Minnesota’s Medicaid program, and we thank them for acting swiftly and with such wide, bipartisan support to stop these cuts,” said Kimball.  “We now urge Senators Coleman and Klobuchar to vote to protect Medicaid as the Senate considers this measure.”

AARP Urges Legislature and Governor to Enact Health Care Reform NOW

(St. Paul, MN) -- AARP joined several other concerned groups today to urge Governor Pawlenty and state lawmakers to continue their work to enact bipartisan health care legislation that will help reform Minnesota’s health care system.

“Our leaders have a unique opportunity to put partisan politics aside this session and make our health care system work better for consumers,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball. “Good, bipartisan work has been done to get this far, and we can’t let this chance for reform slip away. Consumers want quality affordable health care NOW.”

AARP endorsed Senate File 3099 (Berglin) and House File 3391 (Huntley) because the proposals will reduce costs, improve access and give consumers good information about health care choices.  AARP applauds several key provisions, specifically those that: 

Ÿ         Expand health coverage under MinnesotaCare to ensure that more low-income individuals will receive the care they need;

Ÿ         Make health care more affordable for all, including long-term care workers, many of whom have little or no health care coverage;

Ÿ         Give doctors and clinics needed incentives to improve quality and increase effectiveness;

Ÿ         Call for better use of technology, including electronic health records, so that costs are reduced and better records are kept; and 

Ÿ         Provide consumers with solid information about costs and quality that will allow them to make comparisons to find the most appropriate provider and receive the best care to meet their needs. 

AARP is urging its members to call their lawmakers through an AARP Health Care Hotline (1-800-480-4397) to urge them to pass SF 3099 and HF 3391.  Newspaper and radio ads across the state are also engaging more Minnesotans in this debate.

“Minnesota can lead the nation by passing meaningful health care reform that will serve as an example to the rest of the country,” said Kimball.    

AARP recently announced its full support for bipartisan health care legislation now being considered at the State Capitol.  Below is a letter sent to express support for the bills.

March 17, 2008

Dear Senator Berglin and Representative Huntley:

On behalf of more than 705,000 members in Minnesota, AARP strongly supports Senate File 3099 and House File 3391.  We believe this legislation will effectively reform our state's health care system to bring down the cost of health care, reward quality and provide consumers with access to important information they need to make informed and appropriate health care decisions.  

We appreciate your leadership in working in a bipartisan manner through the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access and with the Governor's Transformation Task Force to produce this important legislation, and we thank you for your efforts to bring the many different voices to the table, including consumers, as you formulated this legislation.

Specifically, there are a number of key provisions that are especially meaningful to AARP members and are critical to our support of the bill:

•           The creation of Health Care Homes will increase effectiveness and efficiency and will be especially beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions. 

•           Providing consumers with solid information about costs and quality will allow them to make comparisons to find the most appropriate provider and receive the best care to meet their needs.  Your bill will allow establishment of a key portal that can provide accessible and easily-understood information.

•           Expansion of coverage under MinnesotaCare will ensure that more low-income individuals will receive the care they need. 

•           The affordability provisions in this bill, along with the subsidies for those with employer sponsored insurance, and the collection of data provisions will help improve access to coverage for long-term care workers, as well as for other people in similar situations across the state where they simply cannot afford insurance and are facing financial crisis due to medical costs.

•           Payment reform, as outlined in this bill, is a good start to providing the needed incentives to improve quality and increase effectiveness.  We believe that it is in the best interest of consumers to pay providers in a way that reflects the quality -- and not just the quantity -- of care given.   It is our experience that consumers want to participate in their health care.  They want to know which provider is

better quality, and they will choose better quality providers that are lower cost, with the right information.

•           Consumers want the health care system to better use technology, including electronic health records, so that costs are reduced and better records are kept. We appreciate the recognition of the importance of technology. Privacy, however, must be guaranteed to ensure consumers are adequately protected and remain confident in the system.

•           Finally, as we have stated in the past, we would prefer that this legislation not contain an individual responsibility mandate.  However, we do support  language that will exempt an individual or family who would pay over 10 percent of their income on health care costs from the individual mandate.  This provision is essential to our support of this legislation and will help ensure against catastrophic health care costs for people of all income levels. 

AARP believes the State Legislature and the Governor have the unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of Minnesotans of all ages by enacting this important legislation NOW.  Minnesota can lead the nation by passing meaningful health care reform that will serve as an example to the rest of the country.  

AARP commends you for your work on this significant matter and urge the House of Representatives to take the bold of step of passing House File 3391 to help all Minnesotans achieve better access to quality, affordable health care. We look forward to continuing to work with you throughout this session to pass this important legislation.

Sincerely,

 Michele H. Kimball                                                      Hubert H. (Skip) Humphrey III

AARP State Director                                                   AARP State President

All Minnesotans – including our children and grandchildren -- deserve quality, affordable health care!

Don’t let our chance for health care reform pass us by!

Call 1-800-480-4397 today.

Too many families in Minnesota are just one health care crisis away from bankruptcy and complete financial disaster.  Too many of us with insurance are living on the edge – in fear of losing it or being priced out of the market.

The Minnesota State Legislature has the chance to change this by passing true bipartisan health care reforms that will make health care more affordable for more Minnesotans.   

Call the AARP Health Care Hotline today at 1-800-480-4397 so they know that health care is important to you. 

Make your voice heard and help keep health care reforms on the agenda.

Here are the five easy steps to connect to your state legislator’s office: 

1. Dial 1-800-480-4397
2. Press 1 if you have a touch-tone phone or stay on the line for a rotary-dial phone
3. Enter your zip code so our system can match you to your state legislators.
4. Select which lawmakers you want to be connected to.

What Do I Say?

The secret to making an effective phone call is to be clear and concise and make your point quickly.  Here are several points you can say while on the phone.

• The representative or senator should work to pass health care reform this session that will help more Minnesotans afford quality coverage.

• While only 7 percent of Minnesotans are uninsured, tens of thousands of us are underinsured and don’t get the quality care we pay for. 

• Minnesotans who have health care live in fear of losing health care coverage.  Every year costs go up, but we as consumers are not getting what we pay for.

• Proposals on the table can help bring costs down, give consumers better information about costs and quality so they can compare, and reform the payment system so that we as taxpayers are paying for quality care.

Minnesotans has a right to affordable quality health care and now is the time to demand real solutions.  Tell them it’s time to cut through the gridlock and get it done.  Tell them AARP wants health care reform passed for FUTURE generations.  Our children and grandchildren should not have to live in fear of losing health care coverage.

Thanks you for your help in this campaign and for being a part of AARP’s advocacy efforts!

AARP Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for

Health Care Reform this Session

AARP Members Urge Lawmakers to Keep Health Care on the Front Burner

AARP members gathered at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 5 to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to listen to the pulse of Minnesota consumers across the state and pass health care reform legislation this session.

“Too many families in Minnesota are just one health care crisis away from bankruptcy.  Health care costs to individuals, families and businesses go up every year across the state.  Yet, consumers are not getting more for their dollar,” said Joanne Disch, AARP National Board Chair and Director of the Densford International Center for Nursing at the University of Minnesota.  “Consumers want our state leaders to take action on health care this session.”

A recent statewide AARP survey of members aged 50-64 showed that consumers across the state are concerned about their ability to pay for health care in the future, and they want the Legislature to take action.

 -- Nearly eight in ten Minnesota members agree that all residents should have access to quality, affordable, and adequate health care coverage.  A quarter say they are not confident that they will be able to maintain their health care coverage at a cost that is affordable to them over the next five years.

 -- One in seven AARP members in Minnesota say it is difficult to pay their out-of-pocket monthly medical expenses.  Eight in ten of those with health care coverage say it is extremely important for them to maintain this coverage.

 -- Over 75 percent say that expanding coverage for the uninsured, improving quality and reducing medical errors, and improving access to health care should be high or top priorities for state policy makers.  Seven in ten members say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported affordable coverage for all.

The complete survey can be found at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/carefinancing/mn_hcr_08.html

The survey is just one part of AARP’s efforts to engage consumers in the health care debate.  AARP is urging the public to call their state lawmakers through an AARP Health Care Hotline (1-800-480-4397) to share their concerns and views with their elected officials.  Ads are running in several daily papers to engage more Minnesotans in the debate.  And, during personal visits with lawmakers throughout the AARP Lobby Day, AARP volunteer leaders will strongly recommend that Minnesota policymakers and candidates for state office carefully consider the findings in this study and pass health care reform.

“Legislators and the Governor have the opportunity to agree on meaningful health care legislation that will help more Minnesotans get coverage they deserve and can afford,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball. “Minnesota’s consumers stand clearly behind health care reform.”

AARP members will be delivering these specific messages to lawmakers today:

• Pass health care reform this year. Minnesotans of all ages should have access to health care.
• Consumers need good and accessible information. Our system of health care today is confusing even for the most educated consumers.  Consumers need an accessible and easily-understood information source that allows them to compare health care costs and quality.  Lawmakers should create a consumer education campaign and a single portal for the quality and cost information consumers need to make decisions about their healthcare.
• Make Health Care More Affordable. Too many people have difficulty paying for health care, and too many Minnesota families face bankruptcy as a result of a medical crisis.  AARP supports expansion of eligibility to public health programs and urges the Legislature to help eliminate health care bankruptcies by establishing catastrophic coverage protections and set affordability standards.
• Ensure Fairness for all. Lawmakers should ensure that Minnesotans are not priced out of the insurance market simply based on age.

NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE

Session Begins with Many Promises: Budget Deficit Projections Loom

On Tuesday, February 12, the 2008 Minnesota Legislative Session began, with taxes, transportation and health care at the top of the agenda in both the House and Senate.  House leaders promised to also act quickly on transportation funding and a proposal to increase state sales tax to provide money for the outdoors, the environment and the arts. Lurking in the background, however, is the prospect of a growing state budget deficit, now at $373 million, which could be as high as $800 million when the state's economic forecast is released later this month. Collections of all three of the state's major taxes are running below projections.

Health Care Reform Proposals Released: AARP Advocating for Consumers

Both Governor Pawlenty and key legislators have been working on health care plans that are expected to become legislative proposals later in the session.  AARP staff and volunteers will be advocating on behalf of consumers as this debate continues.  Currently, there are several bipartisan plans which contain pieces that will garner AARP’s strong support.  Governor Pawlenty believes the state should encourage lower costs through the use of electronic medical records, uniform billing, and more aggressive prevention and treatment of chronic conditions. Rep. Tom Huntley, who sites on both the Governor’s health care task force and cochairs the bipartisan legislative task force, has proposed reforming the payment system so that providers are compensated based on the quality -- not the quantity -- of health care given. On March 5, AARP’s Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will hold a lobby day on health care, urging lawmakers to listen to consumers throughout the health care debate.

AARP’s Cell Phone Efforts to Be Heard in Senate Committee

The State Senate’s Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee will soon hear a bill to protect cell phone consumers, brought forth by AARP and the Attorney General’s office.  AARP State President Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III will testify on the cell phone bill on Tuesday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 123 of the Capitol.   The bill seeks to give Minnesota consumers who use cell phones some protection from excessive contract termination fees and poor service.  The legislation will help ensure that billing practices are fair, calls are charged at the time of connection (not when dialed) and by requiring providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers. Humphrey will share stories from AARP members about bad cell phone service to urge lawmakers to take action for consumers.  

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

AARP Push Adds Older Americans to Economic Stimulus Act of 2008

Congress last week passed an economic stimulus bill that includes relief for older Americans receiving Social Security, and AARP’s advocacy efforts have been widely credited with making the difference.  President Bush signed the measure into law on February 13.  The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will provide a $300 rebate check to any American with $3000 of qualifying income – including Social Security income – in 2007, and up to $600 for individuals who pay income taxes. Rebates would be doubled for married couples filing jointly, and families would receive an additional $300 per child under age 17. It also counts veterans’ disability payments as qualified income, extending rebate eligibility for up to 250,000 disabled veterans.  AARP was able to mobilize grassroots activists in support of including older Americans in the economic stimulus package. In less than a week AARP was directly responsible for nearly a quarter-of-a-million actions directed at Senate offices, notably through e-mail Grassroots Alerts. Those actions included 3,303 contacts to Senator Klobuchar and Senator Coleman, who both voted to include older Americans in the package.  Thank you, AARP members who called and emailed our Senators to urge them to remember older Americans!

AARP Supports Senator Coleman’s Health Literacy Act

AARP recently endorsed the National Health Literacy Act, sponsored by Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Tom Harkin (D-IA).  The bill expands consumers’ ability to obtain, process and disseminate essential health care information to increase health care knowledge and understanding among health care consumers.  The authors want to give all Americans the skills to make informed decisions about their health treatment options and decrease the confusion consumers experience in the current bureaucratic health care system.  The bill creates a Health Literacy Implementation Center to gather and disseminate resources and best practices, coordinate research assist other federal agencies and set national health literacy strategies and goals.

Do-Not-Call Soon to be Permanent

On February 6, Congress passed legislation to make permanent the Do-Not-Call list that protects consumers from telemarketing calls. The bills have been sent to President Bush for his signature. They eliminate the need for consumers to reregister and makes permanent FTC authority to collect telemarketer fees to run the program.  AARP vigorously supported this bipartisan legislation eliminating the five-year expiration of consumers’ telephone numbers from the Do-Not-Call Registry.  In 2003, Minnesota was one of the first states to enact a Do-Not-Call law at the state level, with AARP’s strong urging.  The federal Do Not Call Registry was created soon after.  The new legislation eliminates the need for users to re-register their phone numbers by eliminating the automatic removal of phone numbers from the Do-Not-Call registry.  Once it is signed into law, registrants will remain on the do-not-call list indefinitely until they request removal or if the number becomes no longer valid, becomes disconnected, or gets reassigned.

UPDATE ON DIVIDED WE FAIL 

AARP and Divided We Fail Partners Endorse Prevention Legislation

AARP, Business Roundtable, SEIU and NFIB – which collectively represent more than 53 million Americans and together make up Divided We Fail – recently announced their support for federal legislation that would give businesses a powerful new incentive to provide customized tools that help employees better manage their own health and wellness.   The “Healthy Workforce Act,” introduced by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), would give a tax credit of up to 50 percent to businesses that offer their employees qualified, comprehensive wellness programs that include health awareness and education; behavioral change – including counseling, seminars or self-help materials;  supportive environment– including health premium reductions or daytime exercise options; and employee engagement– to tailor the program to the needs of the company’s workforce.  “America’s medical system is focused on treating disease rather than maintaining health,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. “As a nation, we can do better. Twenty-first century health care should mean getting the best care before we ever get sick. Prevention is the best cure.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Listen to Consumers on Health Care!  AARP to Lobby Lawmakers on March 5

The 80+ volunteers from around the state who serve as members of the Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will gather at the State Capitol on March 5 to lobby state lawmakers on health care issues.  Send an email to apope@aarp.org or call Paro at 1-866-554-5381 if you are interested in joining the GREAT team and being part of Lobby Day.

Send us an email at  mnaarp@aarp.org or call 1-866-554-5381 to sign up for an emailed version of this newsletter.

NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE

AARP Prepares to Focus on Health Care During 2008 Session

On February 12, the Legislature will begin the 2008 session, and AARP will be urging lawmakers to make health care reform a high priority.  Although Minnesota has traditionally prided itself on being the healthiest state with the fewest uninsured, we are slipping in national rankings as our uninsured rates rise. Anywhere from one in seven to one in nine residents are currently uninsured.  Many more Minnesotans are “underinsured” – meaning they have insurance, but can’t afford the high deductibles or procedures or drugs not covered under their plans.  This session, AARP will be advocating for bipartisan health reform proposals to pay doctors and other care providers based on results and the quality of care.  AARP will also advocate for clear information that helps consumers understand and compare the quality and costs of care provided by doctors, clinics and hospitals. The State Legislature’s Commission on Health Care Access, and Governor Pawlenty’s Transformation Task Force will both propose changes this session, which may include cutting waste, focusing on prevention and spreading insurance to all by 2011.  Other proposals may include new online tools to help consumers shop for health care and allowing insurance to move with Minnesotans from job to job.  “AARP will be watching this debate closely, ensuring that consumers have a voice at the table,” said AARP State President Skip Humphrey.  “Our job is to urge our lawmakers to come together and take bold steps so that Minnesota can regain its prominence as a health care leader.”

Care for the Caregivers Legislation Still on the Agenda

Last session, AARP led efforts to raise awareness of the needs of a growing number of families who are giving long-term care informally to their older family members and those with disabilities.  AARP made lawmakers and the public more aware that unpaid family members provide the vast majority of the long-term care provided in society. These family caregivers are often juggling multiple roles at home and in the labor force, or are experiencing other stresses and health problems.  To better recognize the needs of family caregivers, AARP will again urge support for legislation to allow family members to legally use earned sick time to care for their loved ones.  AARP also will support providing tax credits for informal family caregivers.

Long-term Care Issues to Arise Again

Although health care reform will be AARP’s top priority, long-term care issues will also be followed closely this session.  Receiving long-term care at home and in the community is cost-effective – and it’s what Minnesota consumers want.   As a member of the Leadership Council on Aging, a coalition of top groups working together to prepare Minnesota as our society ages, AARP will urge consideration of the Community Care Act to strengthen an array of home and community-based services, address barriers to accessing these services and support family caregivers. 

Cell Phone Legislation will Help Consumers

AARP is bringing the concerns of frustrated cell phone consumers to state lawmakers, urging passage of legislation to improve consumer protections.  Consumers experience a multitude of problems with cell phone service, due to lack of easy-to-understand information from wireless telephone providers. AARP will be advocating for legislation that ensures that billing practices are fair and requires providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers.  AARP will also urge lawmakers to protect consumers who want to switch between service providers by prohibiting excessive contract termination fees.  Many stories about bad cell phone service, unfair contracts and undisclosed fees are pouring into AARP and will be shared with lawmakers to urge improvements for consumers. 

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

AARP Urging Improvements to Stimulus Package

Rising energy prices and instability in the housing market have heightened fears of an economic downturn.  Spurred to action by fears of a recession, leaders in the U.S. House worked with the Bush Administration to craft a bipartisan plan to help shore up America’s economy by providing many citizens with tax rebates to help stimulate spending.  Under this bipartisan plan, millions of Americans taxpayers will receive rebates – up to $600 for individual taxpayers and $1,200 for working couples.  However, AARP is concerned that the plan falls short of ensuring that older Americans receive a share of relief in the current economic climate. Less than half of Americans aged 65 and older have a positive taxable income, and this proposal will do little to alleviate the economic pressure faced by these citizens.  The Senate has proposed a plan that includes relief for older Americans who depend on Social Security.  Call AARP’s hotline at 1-800-580-5739 now to be connected to your Members of Congress and urge them to ensure that Americans past the age of 65 will not be left out – including the over 20 million seniors who rely primarily on Social Security.  Both houses of Congress are likely to vote on an economic stimulus compromise plan by the end of the week.

UPDATE ON DIVIDED WE FAIL 

From now until the 2008 general election, AARP will be working to urge candidates and elected officials to enact bipartisan solutions to ensure that all Americans have affordable, quality health care and a secure financial future. So far, more than 14,000 Minnesotans have signed the Divided We Fail pledge, vowing to vote for candidates who put partisan politics aside and provide meaningful answers to health and financial security concerns.  We have collected hundreds of personal stories from Minnesotans who have had health care or financial crises.  And, we have gotten every member of the Minnesota Congressional delegation to sign the Divided We Fail pledge or sign a letter of support for the platform.  Join our Divided We Fail volunteer team and help spread the messages across the state.  Go to dividedwefail.org to learn more.  Contact us at aarpmn@aarp.org or call us at 1-866-554-5381 for more information.

Super Tuesday Efforts Promote Divided We Fail

You might be reading this newsletter on Tuesday, Feb. 5, known as Super Tuesday around the country.  As you know, 24 states are holding presidential primaries or caucuses on Super Tuesday. Minnesota, by moving up its caucuses from March, is part of the national political calculus as never before.   Because of Minnesota’s new prominence, AARP is educating potential caucus-goers about candidates’ views on the issues of health and financial security.  Volunteers helped disseminate AARP’s guide called In Their Own Words, a document outlining what the presidential primary candidates have said about these key issues.  Volunteers also distributed the guide and other Divided We Fail materials at the Mall of America and in the Minneapolis skyway system on Super Tuesday.  The guide is still available at www.dividedwefail.org. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

GREAT Member will Lobby Lawmakers on Health Care on March 5

The 80+ volunteers from around the state who serve as members of the Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will gather at the State Capitol on March 5 to lobby state lawmakers on health care issues.  These volunteers have participated in issue training session held across the state in January, and have been developing relationships with their lawmakers.  Volunteers will personally reach out to individual elected officials, making their voice heard on these key issues.  Send an email to apope@aarp.org or call Paro at 1-866-554-5381 if you are interested in joining the GREAT team and being part of Lobby Day.

On behalf of more than 700,000 older Minnesotans and their families, AARP urges legislators to:

Improve Health Care for Minnesotans

Most Minnesotans (more than 93 percent) have some kind of health insurance.  Yet, thousands of Minnesotans, including individuals, government and businesses, struggle to pay for the rising costs of their health care. Thousands are “underinsured” and avoid preventative care visits because of high deductibles or lack of coverage.  Furthermore, the quality of the health care we get varies greatly – and we do not always get what we pay for.  Consumers want and deserve greater information about their health care choices – information about doctors, hospitals, clinics – so they can make better choices and improve their health care outcomes.  AARP will work to ensure that consumers have access to quality of care and that consumers can get the appropriate information to make the good health care decisions.