Offline
My Badges
Create The Good
Create The Good
Background
Location:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
United States
Work:
AARP
Hometown(s):
Sioux Falls-State Office
Rapid City-Information Center
My Websites:
aarp.org/sd

My Journals (106)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2009
 
CONTACT:
Cathy McLeer
Office: 605-362-3046
Cell: 605-360-3904
cmcleer@aarp.org
 
AARP South Dakota KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT
ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues throughout the 111th Congress, and informing its nearly 40 million members, including nearly 104,000 in South Dakota, of the results of these key votes.
 
AARP Praises House Passage of Health Care Reform Bill
Critical legislation would strengthen Medicare, improve coverage for all Americans
 
SUMMARY: Tonight the United States House of Representatives passed critical health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that prices millions of Americans out of affordable health coverage. 
 
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) makes prescription drugs more affordable for seniors by closing the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage and allowing the program to negotiate lower drug prices. It adds cost-free preventive services like cancer screenings and cracks down on waste and fraud to protect and strengthen traditional Medicare benefits. In addition, the legislation provides benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities by establishing the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program.
 
For all Americans—especially those age 50 to 64 who often struggle to find affordable insurance—this plan strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age, and stops insurers from denying coverage based on a person’s health history or gender. For those who still cannot find affordable coverage on their own, this bill offers help so they can purchase insurance.
 
 
South Dakota:
 
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie ,  voted "no"                                            
 
 
“AARP South Dakota is disappointed that Rep. Herseth Sandlin voted against this bill and the opportunity to fix our health care system,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “When older South Dakotans are struggling to afford quality insurance, and thousands of South Dakota seniors must choose between their prescriptions and other necessities, we know this legislation must move forward.   We hope Rep. Herseth Sandlin will reconsider her vote when a health bill returns to the House for final approval.”
 
 AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its nearly 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. “When Americans understand the issues and where their lawmakers stand, they can make smart decisions. AARP will be there to give our members, as well as all Americans, the most accurate information we can,” Jennings concluded.
 
AARP members can see how their representatives voted on health care reform by going to www.aarp.org/governmentwatch . AARP’s Government Watch is a one-stop online portal that will be tracking and publicizing every designated key vote on issues facing Americans age 50-plus.   A “Key Vote Summary” highlighting votes on these issues will be published at the end of each congressional session.
 
30 – 30 – 30
 
 
Serving nearly 104,000 members in South Dakota, 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.
 
 
 
 
AARP South Dakota ~ 5101 S. Nevada Ave. Suite 150 ~ Sioux Falls, SD 57108 ~ 1.866.542.8172 ~ www.aarp.org/sd
Added: November 7, 2009
Views: 28 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP’s all-volunteer Board of Directors has decided to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR3962/3961) in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The House is expected to vote on this legislation in the next 24-48 hours.  It's crunch time and we need your help! Call 1-800-580-5739 to be connected to Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s office to urge her to vote yes on the bill and remind her that AARP supports this legislation.

AARP has taken this extraordinary step because this legislation maintains doctor access and choice, strengthens Medicare, closes the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, eliminates discrimination by insurance companies, expands access to affordable coverage to South Dakotans who don’t have it now, and provides support for home and community-based long term care services.   Each of these provisions in the bill have been priorities for AARP throughout the health care reform debate, and as a result, we’re pleased to lend our endorsement to this legislation.   

Now, time is of the essence.  The House is scheduled to vote on the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the next 24-48 hours and it is imperative that AARP members let Representative Herseth Sandlin know of AARP’s endorsement of this important legislation.  Please call 1-800-580-5739 now to be connected to AARP’s Health Care Reform hotline to let Rep. Herseth Sandlin know that AARP supports the Affordable Health Care for American Act and we’re looking for her vote in favor of this critical piece of legislation.

As always, thank you for your interest and participation in AARP’s health reform campaign.  We’ve reached yet another critical stage in this important national debate and we know we can count on you to have AARP’s voice heard both here in South Dakota and in Washington, DC!

Added: November 5, 2009
Views: 34 | Comments: 1 | Bookmarks: 0

 

AARP Endorses Affordable Health Care for America Act
“This bill is a critical step in providing affordable care choices for South Dakota’s seniors, and South Dakotans of all ages.”
 
[Sioux Falls, SD]—Today AARP announced its endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the accompanying Medicare physician payment reform bill (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 -- including nearly 104,000 in South Dakota, 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.
 
“AARP can say with confidence this bill will improve benefits for South Dakota’s seniors on Medicare, and provide needed health insurance market reforms to ensure every South Dakotan can purchase affordable health coverage,” said Sarah Jennings, State Director for AARP South Dakota.
 
 “More than 14,000 South Dakotans age 50-64 are currently priced out of the health insurance market. That’s simply unacceptable,” continued Jennings. “Additionally, tens of thousands of South Dakotans fall into the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” each year. No one in our state or anywhere in America should have to choose between paying for groceries and their prescriptions. The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a critical step in providing affordable care choices for South Dakota’s seniors, and South Dakotans of all ages.”
 
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.
 
“AARP South Dakota and our members will be urging Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin to support this important measure when the House of Representatives votes in the coming days,” said Jennings.
 
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” and allowing the government to negotiate with drug makers for lower drug prices;
--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.
 
Jennings concluded: “AARP is proud to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and we urge members of the House to pass this crucial legislation in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.”
Added: November 5, 2009
Views: 29 | Comments: 1 | Bookmarks: 0

South Dakota driver licensing officials are urging residents to “get it together’’ to be ready for changes in the types of documents required to get a license or renew an existing one.

 
New identification requirements take effect Dec. 31, 2009. The new law requires several proofs of identity and residence. Here’s what you will need to bring.
 
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING to prove identity, date of birth and lawful status:
 - Certified U.S. birth certificate, valid unexpired U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, valid unexpired permanent resident card, valid unexpired employment authorization document, or foreign passport with valid unexpired U.S. Visa with I-94.
 
IF YOUR NAME is different than the name on your identity document, you will need to bring proof of your legal name. Acceptable documents to prove legal name change are:
- Marriage certificate (issued by a state vital records agency), certified adoption document or certified court order authorizing a name change (such as a divorce decree).
 
ONE DOCUMENT PROVING Social Security number. These documents include:
- Social Security card, W-2 Form, SSA 1099 Form, Non-SSA 1099 Form or pay stub (must include name and social security number).
 
TWO DOCUMENTS PROVING principal address. Any two of these documents qualify:
- Utility bill, rent receipt, phone bill, transcript or report card from an accredited school, bank statement, pay stub or earnings statement or credit card statement (these documents must have been issued in past 90 days).
- Mortgage document, tax document, court order or homeowner or renter insurance policy (these documents must have been issued within past year).
 
To learn more, please call 1-800-952-3696 or visit the Driver Licensing page on the Department of Public Safety web site (www.dps.sd.gov). Click the “Get It Together’’ link on the Driver Licensing page.
Added: November 3, 2009
Views: 23 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Message from State Director Sarah Jennings:

 I want to extend a big thank you for answering the call to action last week.  In less than a half hour after sending out our request to all of you to call Senator Johnson on the CLASS Act, over 200 of you responded to let Senator Johnson know that the CLASS Act was an important part of health care reform and should be included in the Senate health care reform legislation. 
 
 I’m proud to say that as a result of your efforts, Senator Johnson has pledged his support for the CLASS Act and will be working with his colleagues to make sure it’s included in the Senate health care reform legislation.  Thank you to everyone for making this happen. 
And, just as it’s important to make our requests of our elected officials when the situation calls for it, it’s equally important to thank those elected officials when they listen to our concerns and support our positions.  So, this week, we’re asking you to call 1-800-944-6723 to be connected to our CLASS Act hotline in order to thank Senator Johnson for supporting the CLASS Act and for working with his colleagues to include this important provision in the Senate Health Care Reform legislation. 
Finally, a lot is happening with health reform.  Last week a new bill was proposed in the House of Representatives, and AARP is looking at that proposal closely to see how it will impact AARP Members. Additionally, final negotiations are still underway in the Senate on a range of issues but no final health care reform bill has taken shape at this point.   Thanks again for your interest and participation in AARP’s health reform campaign.
 
If you would like to recieve short, pre-recorded, weekly updates like this via telephone, call 1-866-542-8172 and leave your name and phone number so we can add you to our list.
Added: November 2, 2009
Views: 22 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Thanks to your phone calls, Senator Johnson heard us loud and clear on the need to support HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) and the CLASS Act in the final Senate Bill.   In fact, calls generated through South Dakota made up a quarter of all calls into the Senate via AARP’s hotline. 

Now it is equally important to Call Senator Johnson once again – this time thanking him for his support for keeping the CLASS Act and home and community based services in health reform. 

Be sure to use the AARP hotline, 1-800-944-6723.

Added: October 30, 2009
Views: 19 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Senate negotiators are putting together the final health care reform bill and AARP believes "The CLASS Act"  needs to be a part of the final bill.   "The CLASS Act"   would accomplish the following:

1)  "The CLASS Act"  establishes a national voluntary insurance program for long-term services and supports to help individuals plan ahead so they can afford to pay for services when they need support to help them live independently in their homes and communities.

2)  "The CLASS Act"   helps slow the growth of health care spending and keep millions of Americans out of nursing homes and in their own homes. "The CLASS Act"   would actually save our health care delivery system nearly $60B over the next 10 years, including reductions to state Medicaid spending by nearly $2B during that same time.

3)  "The CLASS Act"   gives consumers greater flexibility and choice in how, when, and where to receive long-term services that assist individuals in staying independent.

AARP South Dakota is asking you to let Senator Tim Johnson know that we need him to tell his Senate colleagues how important "The CLASS Act"   is in the health care reform debate.  You can reach Senator Tim Johnson through AARP's "The CLASS Act"   hotline at 1-800-944-6723.

Again, call Senator Johnson October 22, 2009 at 1-800-944-6723 and tell him to make sure his Senate colleagues know that "The CLASS Act" must be a part of the final Senate health care reform bill.

Thank you for all you do for AARP and for being true champions of health care reform in our state!

 
 

Added: October 22, 2009
Views: 28 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Calling all AARP SD members! AARP SD is holding a health reform tele-townhall tonight from 6:50 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. CT.   AARP SD state president Pat Gross, and AARP health policy expert Paul Cotton will lead a discussion and answer your questions on health reform.   Ask questions during the call, or submit questions in advance via email to  sdaarp@aarp.org.   If you recieve a call this evening we encourage you to stay on the line, and participate in the discusion.

Added: October 7, 2009
Views: 50 | Comments: 1 | Bookmarks: 0

 

 

Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Immediately to Address Lack of Social Security COLA

 
 
 With an expected announcement of no Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010, AARP is calling on House and Senate leaders to provide $250 in emergency relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling in this economic climate.   
 
“More than half of South Dakota’s 145,000 Social Security recipients rely on those monthly checks to stay out of poverty,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “With so many South Dakota seniors depending on every penny of their Social Security to meet basic needs, an emergency relief payment would be critically important.”
 
Social Security plays a vital role for a financially secure retirement, and protecting Social Security income is a top priority for AARP.  AARP will work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to urge quick passage of legislation that will help combat rising health care and prescription drug costs that consume an increasing amount of seniors’ income each year.   
 
“Seniors spend on average, 30 percent of their income on health care costs, which continue to increase well above the rate of inflation. Next year, Medicare Part D – prescription drug premiums are expected to increase,” said Jennings. “Additionally, a third of South Dakotans on Medicare, fall into the “doughnut hole” each year. This combination of higher health care costs and a stagnant Social Security benefit means more South Dakota seniors face the grim reality of lower Social Security payments in January 2010.”
 
Jennings continued, “On behalf of our 105,000 members in South Dakota, and 40 million members nationwide, AARP is expressing strong support for providing America's seniors with $250 in emergency relief as the appropriate legislative response to the projected lack of a Social Security COLA in 2010.”
 
Added: October 7, 2009
Views: 44 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0


Sioux Falls— AARP South Dakota applauds passage the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” (H.R. 3631), and thanks Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for supporting it. AARP South Dakota also looks forward to quick action in the Senate and urges Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune to vote in favor of this measure.

“H.R. 3631 holds Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year,” said Sam Wilson, associate state director – advocacy for AARP South Dakota. “With 145,000 individuals in South Dakota receiving Social Security, and more than 130,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state, this is tremendously important legislation for our older citizens.”
“People in Medicare today spend nearly a third of their income on health care. The lack of a cost-of-living update in Social Security means that South Dakotans in Medicare could see their health care costs rise further out of reach. This bill will help ensure those individuals have more affordable health care, without burdening taxpayers or future generations with new spending.” 
Wilson continued, “Medicare premiums have doubled since 2000. South Dakota retirees have seen their savings wither by market losses, their home values have decreased, and they’ve experienced ever climbing health care bills. This legislation is a big step toward controlling those costs, and making health care more affordable for older South Dakotans.”
“Additionally, we’re please this passed with bi-partisan support in the House and remain hopeful the Senate will follow suit.”
Added: September 25, 2009
Views: 58 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0