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AARP Endorses Affordable Health Care for America Act
Virginians with health care problems welcome reform
RICHMOND—For Katherine Jackson, the announcement that AARP supports the Affordable Health Care for America Act was welcome news.
Jackson was among several AARP members who watched via video conference as AARP’s national leadership announced its endorsement of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the accompanying Medicare physician payment fix (H.R. 3961).
“As members of the House gear up for this historic vote, they will hear from older Americans like Katherine Jackson,” said AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio.
Jackson, 58, of Chesterfield lost her health coverage when electronics retailer Circuit City went bankrupt. She has been without insurance since February because bankrupt employers are not required to offer COBRA benefits to employees. With a pre-existing condition and chronic health conditions, Jackson can’t find affordable coverage. She has postponed surgery due to her lack of health insurance. She welcomes health care reform.
“Stuff like this happens in other countries, not here,” said Jackson, one of more than a million AARP members in Virginia. In Virginia, 155,133 people between the ages of 50 and 64 lack health insurance. Of the total uninsured in the age group, 67.5 percent worked in 2007.
AARP’s support of the House proposals 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. Medicare provides health care coverage for 996,000 Virginians. Nearly 81 percent of them are over age 65.
“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,” Kallio said. “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 critical package in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.”
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 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.
“We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors,” Kallio said. “We can say with confidence that the Affordable Health Care for America Act it meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage.”
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.
Added: November 6, 2009
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Click here to see the Virginia Voter Guide:
http://www.aarp.org/states/va/articles/va_voter_guide_2009.html/
Added: October 16, 2009
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AARP Virginia Hosts 2009 Diversity and Aging Forum
AARP President, Administration on Aging official, to keynote
Is Virginia ready for the age wave? In just three years, a quarter of all workers will be age 55 or older, which means Virginia employers need to be ready.
Participants at the 2009 AARP Diversity and Aging Forum will tackle these issues from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Click to see the complete schedule.
At the Diversity and Aging Forum, businesses, government officials and individuals can explore state and national diversity trends and prepare for changes taking place as baby boomers age.
For example, one-fourth of all workers will be 55 or older by 2012, according to U.S. Census estimates, and women now make up 46 percent of the current workforce.
Co-chairs for the 2009 forum are My Lan Tran of the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce and Jim Naggles, an attorney with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Sessions will focus on financial security, the housing crisis, health care reform and older workers. The forum is organized by the AARP Virginia Diversity Advisory Committee, which is comprised of some the leading organizations representing diverse populations in Virginia.
Why You Should Attend
Diversity and aging will have a tremendous impact on Virginia, America and the world. In the coming years policy makers, business leaders, and government officials all will be grappling with the challenges these issues present. Issues such as health care, employment, marketing, and immigration are just a few that are directly affected by diversity and aging. Attend this innovative forum to help you and your organization better prepare for the future.
What to Expect
• Emerging trends, cutting-edge research, and innovative programs on diversity and aging
• Issues faced by older adults from diverse communities
• Information on managing an older and more diverse workforce
Keynote speakers for the event include AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen and Kathy Greenlee, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging.
President Barack Obama nominated Greenlee in May and the United States Senate unanimously confirmed her as the fourth Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services. She served as Kansas’ Secretary of Aging, heading a cabinet-level agency. Greenlee had previously served as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Kansas, as well as the state’s Assistant Secretary of Aging, with the responsibilities of legislative liaison and chief budget officer. Greenlee also served as general counsel at the Kansas Insurance Department.
Hansen spent nearly 25 years as executive director of On Lok, Inc., a nonprofit family of organizations providing integrated and comprehensive primary and long-term care community-based services in San Francisco. She currently teaches nursing at San Francisco State University and chairs a nurse leadership grant focused on acute care hospitals and safety at UCSF's Center for the Health Professions.
The registration fee of $25 includes all sessions, materials and lunch. To register, dowload the complete brochure at: assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/diversity_aging_forum_brochure.pdf
You may also call 1-877-926-8300.
Added: October 14, 2009
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AARP VIRGINIA HOSTS TELEPHONE TOWN HALL WITH HOUSE MINORITY WHIP
RICHMOND _ More than 6,500 AARP members joined a telephone town hall meeting with Rep. Eric Cantor (R) on Wednesday, September 23.
AARP members quizzed Cantor on issues such as rising health care costs, ending discrimination due to pre-existing conditions and coverage for people who can’t get insurance through an employer.
Cantor, who is in his fifth term in Congress, became minority whip in November 2008. He represents the 7th Congressional District of Virginia, which includes the west end of Richmond and its suburbs in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties, north to Page and Rappahannock Counties.
A poll question during the call revealed that more than one-third of participants had either lost health insurance or knew someone who had lost their coverage. A caller named April from Richmond told a story about how a friend with cancer can no longer get chemotherapy because her insurance company stopped paying for the treatment.
Cantor voiced opposition to reform proposals that include a public option and expressed concern about proposed Medicare savings.
Another caller, Dorothy from Culpeper, said she can’t hold a job because she must care for her disabled husband, who receives Veteran’s Administration health benefits.
“What are you going to do about people like me who just can’t get affordable insurance?” Dorothy asked.
Added: September 24, 2009
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As more families struggle with economic difficulties, Virginia’s food banks need help feeding hungry people. You can help right here in your own community by participating in the AARP/Ruritan Community Food Drive on October 24.
“AARP is calling upon our one million members in Virginia to help replenish emergency food banks across the commonwealth,” said AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio. “Virginia food banks provide valuable assistance to people in need right in your community.”
Virginia food banks and their 2,800 partner agencies are experiencing daily increases in demand for assistance due to rising unemployment, higher food prices and a slow economy. Requests for help have risen nearly 30 percent in the last year and a half.
You can make a difference in your community on October 24 by filling a bag with non-perishable food that your local food bank needs most. Those items include: peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, crackers, hot and cold cereal, pasta, rice and canned fruit. No glass containers, please.
Local Ruritan clubs will collect the food at their sites on Saturday, October 24. (A partial list of local clubs with food drop-off sites is listed below)
“One person really can make a difference,” Kallio said.
ALBEMARLE
Cove Garden Ruritan Club
Crossroads Store
3586 Monacan Trail Road
North Garden, VA 22959
8 a.m. – 4 p.pm
AMHERST
Clifford Ruritan Club
755 Fletcher Level Rd
Clifford, VA 24533
7 a.m. – 12 noon
Elon Ruritan Club
Elon Ruritan Club Building
Highway 130 in Elon
Elon, VA 24574
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Madison Heights Ruritan Club
270 Mays Street
Madison Heights, VA 22727
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Amherst Monroe Ruritan Club
First Baptist Church
139 Francis Ave.
Monroe, VA 24574
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
APPOMATTOX
Oakville Ruritan Club
Oakville Ruritan Building
181 Piney Mt. Rd.
Appomattox, VA 24522
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Churchville Ruritan Club
Glossbrenner United Methodist Church
17 Buffalo Gap Highway
Churchville, VA 24421
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Craigsville Ruritan Club
4th Avenue (behind school)
Craigsville, VA 24430
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Buffalo Gap Ruritan Club
Buffalo Gap Presbyterian Church
12 Old Parksburg Pike
Swoope, VA 24479
New Hope Ruritan Club
New Hope Community Center, Bldg A
(beside Fire Station)
787 Battlefield Road
New Hope, VA 24467
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weyers Cave Ruritan Club
Weyers Cave Community Center
682 Weyers Cave Road
Weyers Cave, VA 24486
8 a.m. – 12 noon
BEDFORD
Moneta Ruritan Club
Moneta Volunteer Fire Department
Moneta, VA 24121
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
New London Ruritan Club
12411 E. Lynchburg-Salem Turnpike
(lower level—back of building)
Forest, VA 24551
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Evington Ruritan Club
Evington Club House
St. Route 24
Evington, VA 24550
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lynch Station Ruritan Club
679 Powell Road
Lynch Station, VA 24571
6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Rustburg Ruritan Club
Colonial Highway
(intersection of Rte 24 & 501)
Rustburg, VA 24588
9 a.m. – 12 noon
CAROLINE
Caroline Ruritan Club
Ace Hardware
17434 Gravatt Road
Milford, VA 22514
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Madison Ruritan Club
10206 Timothy Drive
Ladysmith, VA 22501
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
CARROLL
Lambsburg Ruritan Club
Chestnut Grove Church Road
Lambsburg, VA 24351
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Neighbors Hand Ruritan Club
4373 Greenberry Road
Hillsville, VA 24343
5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sylvatus Ruritan Club
Route 100
Hillsville, VA 24343
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CHESAPEAKE
Grassfield Ruritan Club
920 Shillelagh Road
Chesapeake, VA 23323
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hickory Ruritan Club
2752 South Battlefield Blvd.
Chesapeake, VA 23322
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CHESTERFIELD
Dale Ruritan Club
5101 Ruritan Place
Richmond, VA 23234
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tomahawk Ruritan Club
4101 North Bailey Bridge Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
COVINGTON
Covington Ruritan Club
Covington High School
(drop off at gym entrance)
630 South Lexington Avenue
Covington, VA 24426
9 a.m. – 12 noon
CULPEPER
Lignum Ruritan Club
20489 Gibson Lane
Lignum, VA 22726
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DINWIDDIE
Dinwiddie Ruritan Club
15610 Courthouse Road
Dinwiddie, VA 23841
8 a.m. – 12 noon
Gerow Ruritan Club
6501 Duncan Road
Petersburg, VA 23803
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sutherland Ruritan Club
Ocran United Methodist Church
20221 Cox Road
Sutherland, VA 23885
9 a.m. – 12 noon
FLUVANNA
Fluvanna Ruritan Club
Food Lion
Turkey Sag Trail
Palmyra, VA 22863
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FRANKLIN
Callaway Ruritan Club
4666 Callaway Road (Old Retreat Store)
Callaway, VA 24151
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FRANKLIN (city)
Hunterdale Ruritan Club
Food Pantry, Franklin Cooperative Ministries
511 N. Main Street
Franklin, VA 23851
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FREDERICK
Cedar Creek Valley Ruritan Club
Gravel Springs Church
Pifer and Brill Roads
Star Tannery, VA 22654
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Stonewall District Ruritan Club
136 Fairground Road
Clear Brook, VA 22624
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
GILES
White Gate Ruritan Club
White Gate Community Center
2760 Walkers Creek Valley Road
Pearisburg, VA 24134
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
HALIFAX
Bethel Community Ruritan Club
1098 Crute Lane
Scottsburg, VA 24589
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wilson Memorial Ruritan Club
1010 Wilson Memorial Loop
Vernon Hill, VA 24597
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
HANOVER
Ladysmith Ruritan Club
19366 Chilesburg Road
Beaverdam, VA 23015
Doswell Ruritan Club
Doswell Community Building
16433 Washington Highway
Doswell, VA 23047
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
HARRISONBURG
West Rockingham Ruritan Club
West Rockingham Ruritan Park
Route 33
5 Miles west of Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
HENRICO
Glendale Ruritan Club
6188 Charles City Road
Henrico, VA 23231
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Easter Henrico Ruritan Club
3812 Nine Mile Road
Richmond, VA 23223
8 a.m. – 12 noon
HENRY
Irisburg Ruritan Club
123 Mitchell Road
Axton, VA 24054
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Oak Level Ruritan Club
7668 Oak Level Road
Bassett, VA 24055
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
HIGHLAND
Blue Grass Ruritan Club
2724 Blue Grass Valley Road
Blue Grass, VA 24413
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
ISLE OF WIGHT
Carrollton Ruritan Club
14138 Norsworthy Drive
Carrollton, VA 23314
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Carrsville Ruritan Club
Community Center
5336 Carrsville Highway
Carrsville, VA 23315
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Smithfield Ruritan Club
Home Sweet Home Care, Inc.
346 Main Street
Smithfield, VA 23430
9 a.m. – 5 p.m
Zuni Ruritan Club
20221 Ruritan Drive
Zuni, VA 23898
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
KING WILLIAM
West Point Ruritan Club
West Point Pharmacy
1302 Lee Street
West Point, VA 23181
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
LEXINGTON
Effinger Ruritan Club
2824 Collierstown Road
Lexington, VA 24450
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
LURAY
Rileyville Ruritan Club
The Pumpkin Patch
US Highway 340 North
Luray, VA 22835
10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
LYNCHBURG
Brookville Ruritan Club
311 Beverly Hills Circle
Lynchburg, VA 24502
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
MARTINSVILLE
Fontaine Ruritan Club
1903 Joseph Martin Highway
Martinsville, VA 24112
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
MATHEWS
Mathews Ruritan Club
Hands Across Mathews Building
10878 Buckley Hall Road
Mathews, VA 23109
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MECKLENBURG
Clarksville Ruritan Club
102 Willow Drive
Clarksville, VA 23927
9 a.m. – 12 noon
MONTGOMERY
Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club
Blacksburg Community Center
725 Patrick Henry Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Tuesday, October 20 only!
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
NELSON
Rockfish Valley Ruritan Club
74 Rockfish School Lane
Afton, VA 22920
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
NORFOLK
(satellite drop site)
Calvary Cars
1417 N. Military Highway
Military Circle
Norfolk, VA 23502
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
ORANGE
Barboursville Ruritan Club
5259 Community Center Road
Barboursville, VA 22923
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fluvanna Ruritan Club
E.W. Thomas Store
13027 James Madison Hwy
Orange, VA 22960
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PATRICK
Ararat Ruritan Club
4711 Ararat Highway
Ararat, VA 24053
Red Bank Ruritan Club
1828 Red Bank School Road
Claudville, VA 24076
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
PITTSYLVANIA
Blairs Ruritan Club
Blairs Fire Department 29 North
Blairs, VA 24540
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cascade Ruritan Club
3527 Huntington Trail
Cascade, VA 24069
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hurt-Motley Ruritan Club
Motley Community Center
Hurt, VA 24563
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PULASKI
Ruritan Road Club
5451 Lyons Road
Dublin, VA 24084
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Mon. – Sat.)
ROANOKE
Bonsack/Blue Ridge Area Ruritan Club
Bonsack Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall)
4845 Cloverdale Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
ROCKBRIDGE
Natural Bridge Ruritan Club
5705 S. Lee Highway
Natural Bridge, VA 24473
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
ROCKINGHAM
Tenth Legion—Mt. Valley Ruritan Club
1037 Mauzy Athlone Road
Broadway, VA 22815
9 a.m. – 12 noon
Broadway-Timberville Ruritan Club
BB&T Bank
153 N. Main Street
Broadway, VA 22815
8:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Broadway-Timberville Ruritan Club
14104 Timber Way
Timberville, VA 22853
8:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Montezuma Ruritan Club
Montezuma Ball Park
Dayton, VA 22821
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Elkton Ruritan Club
412 Gibbons Avenue
Elkton, VA 22827
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fulks Run Ruritan Club
Ruritan Park
15962 Hopkins Gap Road
Fulks Run, VA 22830
12 noon – 2 p.m.
Keezletown Ruritan Club
1118 Indian Train Road
Keezletown, VA 22832
8 a.m. – 12 noon
Linville-Edom Ruritan Club
3752 Linville-Edom Road
Linville, VA 22834
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SCOTT
East Carters Valley Ruritan Club
2898 East Carters Valley Road
(1/2 mile east of Wadlow Gap Road)
Gate City, VA 24521
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Nickelsville Ruritan Club
Mountain Traders Discount Store
11751 Nickelsville Highway
Nickelsville, VA 24271
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Yuma Ruritan Club
8343 Yuma Road
Gate City, VA 24251
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
SHENANDOAH
North Shenandoah Ruritan Club
Lebanon Church Community Center
43 Post Office Road
Lebanon Church, VA 22641
9 a.m. – 12 noon
SPOTSYLVANIA
Chancellor Ruritan Club
5994 Plank Road
(beside Chancellor FD on Rte 3,
west of Fredericksburg)
8 a.m. – 12 noon
STAUNTON
Jollivue-Barterbrook Ruritan Club
Jollivue-Barterbrook Ruritan Building
282 Hammond Lane
Staunton, VA 24401
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SUFFOLK
Cypress Ruritan Club
Corner of Cypress Chapel Road & White Marsh Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Holland Ruritan Club
Holland Baptist Church
6519 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Magnolia Ruritan Club
1029 Nansemond Parkway
Suffolk, VA 23434
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Possum Hollow Ruritan Club
424 Market Street, Suite 200
Suffolk, VA 23434
Friday, Oct 23 only!
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Kempsville Ruritan Club
Ruritan Court (adjacent to Fire Station)
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WASHINGTON
Meadowview Ruritan Club
28122 Lee Highway
Meadowview, VA 24361
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WINCHESTER
Round Hill Ruritan Club
164 Poorhouse Road
(corner of Rte 50 and Poorhouse Rd)
Winchester, VA 22602
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WYTHE
Pioneer Ruritan Club
Family Restaurant
2606 East Lee Highway
Ft. Chiswell, VA 24360
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wytheville Ladies Ruritan Club
Agape Food Pantry
1355 West Spring Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
YORK
York Ruritan Club
Ragan’s Western Auto
5813 George Washington Memorial Highway
Yorktown, VA 23693
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Added: September 24, 2009
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GRANDPARENTS CAN MAKE SURE GRANDCHILDREN HAVE HEALTHY START
NORFOLK
_ Area grandparents have a new way to be involved and help
their grandchildren be healthy with a new project from AARP Virginia.
AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio
spoke to grandparents as part of the Norfolk Public Library’s
Meet, Learn and Discover Series on Wednesday, September
16. Kallio shared information about AARP’s Grandmothers
Campaign for Healthy Grandchildren.
“Grandparents play a vital role in
families, and can be an important resource for young parents seeking
information about infant health,” Kallio said. “The
person with the strongest emotional influence on the new mother is the
child’s grandmother.”
AARP Virginia hosts a Norfolk online
community that meets in person once a month at the library. To
join the online community, visit www.aarp.org/norfolk
.
AARP Virginia launched the Grandmothers
Campaign earlier this month as an effort to make sure children get off
to a healthy start. The Grandmothers Campaign is a call to action
for all grandmothers to help reduce infant mortality and make sure
their grandchildren thrive during the first years of life. AARP
developed the project in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health.
Each month about 75,000 Americans age
45-69 become grandparents and 80 million people will have
grandchildren by 2010. The average age of becoming a
grandparent is 50 years for women. Those women can help enhance
their grandchildren’s health by being a resource for their
daughters during pregnancy and during the first years of their
grandchildren’s lives.
The goal of the Grandmothers Campaign is
to cut Virginia’s infant mortality rate, currently the
30th highest in the nation. Grandmothers and others
interested in helping can spread the word through faith organizations,
civic organizations and other community groups. Those who join
the campaign will:
- receive the latest information about women’s health, prenatal care and safe sleep,
- have tools needed to engage young women in important family conversations, and
- be connected to a statewide network of grandmothers who share experiences, learn about infant health and get answers to important health questions.
The Grandmothers Campaign uses the
Internet with an online community where participates can network with
other grandmothers across the commonwealth. To find out more
about the Grandmothers Campaign and sign up for the online community
visit www.aarp.org/va
. The website includes “conversation starters”
– printed documents with information on important health topics
that grandmothers can share with their daughters.
Added: September 17, 2009
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AARP CELEBRATES 30TH
ANNIVERSARY OF GRANDPARENTS DAY WITH GRANDMOTHERS CAMPAIGN FOR
HEALTHY GRANDCHILDREN
RICHMOND
_ As the Grandparents Day national
holiday enters its fourth decade on September 13, AARP honors the
nation’s 70 million grandparents with the debut of the
Grandmothers Campaign for Healthy Grandchildren.
By harnessing the power of
grandparents, AARP Virginia is launching an effort to make sure
children get off to a healthy start. The Grandmothers Campaign
is a call to action for all grandmothers to help reduce infant
mortality and make sure their grandchildren thrive during the first
years of life. AARP developed the project in collaboration with
the Virginia Department of Health.
“Grandparents play a vital
role in families, and can be an important resource for young parents
seeking information about infant health,” said Bill Kallio,
AARP Virginia State Director. “The person with the
strongest emotional influence on the new mother is the child’s grandmother.”
Thirty years ago when President
Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation declaring Grandparents Day a
national holiday, he was recognizing "the importance and worth
of the 17 million grandparents in our nation." Three
decades later, the number of grandparents have more than quadrupled,
adding emphasis to Carter’s 1979 statement that,
"Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the
events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives
and the world around us."
Each month about
75,000 Americans age 45-69 become grandparents and 80 million people
will have grandchildren by 2010. The average age of becoming a
grandparent is 50 years for women. Those women can help enhance
their grandchildren’s health by being a resource for their
daughters during pregnancy and during the first years of their
grandchildren’s lives.
“Infant mortality is an
unseen epidemic,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner
Karen Remley, M.D., MBA. “The Grandmothers Campaign for
Healthy Grandchildren underscores the importance grandmothers can
play in providing common-sense advice to daughters about prenatal
care and caring for a newborn.”
The goal of the Grandmothers
Campaign is to cut Virginia’s infant mortality rate, currently
the 30th highest in the nation. Grandmothers and
others interested in helping can spread the word through faith
organizations, civic organizations and other community
groups. Those who join the campaign will:
- receive the latest information about women’s health, prenatal care and safe sleep,
- have tools needed to engage young women in important family conversations, and
- be connected to a statewide network of grandmothers who share experiences, learn about infant health and get answers to important health questions.
The Grandmothers Campaign uses the
Internet with an online community where participates can network
with other grandmothers across the commonwealth. To find out
more about the Grandmothers Campaign and sign up for the online
community visit www.aarp.org/va
. The website includes “conversation starters”
– printed documents with information on important health
topics that grandmothers can share with their daughters.
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: September 9, 2009
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AARP: FOUR VIRGINIA EMPLOYERS NAMED 2009 BEST EMPLOYERS FOR WORKERS OVER 50
Applications Set Record for Nine-Year Old Program; New Hospital-Health Care Honor Established
RICHMOND – Three Virginia-based organizations have been named by AARP to its 2009 list of Best Employers for Workers 50 and Over, while a fourth earned a new health care honor.
Bon Secours Richmond Health System in Richmond is one of 15 health care employers honored by AARP this year. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Arlington, George Mason University in Fairfax and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond join an impressive list of 50 honorees announced today by AARP CEO Barry Rand. The Virginia winners were announced today in Richmond at a Nurse Leader Forum hosted by AARP and the Virginia Nurses Association.
More than 200 employers applied for Best Employers honors, the highest total in the nine-year history of the program designed to highlight exemplary policies toward aged 50 and over workers.
“We are delighted that four Virginia employers have been selected,” said AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio, “These companies offer a number of progressive policies in their approach toward older workers.”
A separate hospitals and health care Best Employers honor roll was established by AARP for the first time this year. AARP decided to set up a separate category in order to acknowledge efforts in the health care field to creatively deal with shortages in qualified workers that have faced the health care industry for years.
Any U.S.-based employer with at least 50 employees is eligible to apply for the Best Employers award. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. Key areas of consideration include: recruiting practices, opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and retirement benefits and retiree work opportunities.
AARP The Magazine will feature the 2009 Best Employers in its November-December issue, available in homes September 24. The article will be found online then at www.aarpmagazine.org
For more information on the 2009 Best Employers, please go to www.aarp.org/bestemployers
Included is background on each employer’s workforce practices and a description of the selection process.
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: September 9, 2009
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AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio fielded questions and explained AARP’s position on health care reform at town hall meetings hosted by Congressman Gerry Connolly.
“While older citizens are the only members of our society who have universal access to health insurance through Medicare, the problems of the entire health care system also threaten the financial stability and viability of Medicare as we move into the future,” Kallio told a crowd of about 300 people in Gainesville on September 2. He also served on a panel at a forum sponsored by Connolly August 25 in Springfield.
Kallio told the group that AARP has not endorsed any of the major bills currently moving through Congress, but that reform is essential. He also addressed some of the myths about health care reform. He pointed out that none of the current proposals cut Medicare benefits, that they are paid for, and that fears of rationing are unfounded.
“There are some real and difficult choices that need to be made as we consider how to best improve our health care system,” he said. “We don’t need to get diverted by misinformation that takes us away from the real issues to be debated.”
He said the cost of keeping the system as it is would be more expensive than fixing it.
“We have to get the job done. The cost of doing nothing is too high,” he said.
The full cost of a family’s health insurance premiums from an employer-sponsored plan is expected to reach $24,000 a year by 2016. Currently such a policy costs about $13,000. Without health reform, the average health insurance deductible is expected to climb to over $2,000 in the next eight years.
As more families face financial struggles, the burden on the health care system will grow, pushing up costs. Each one-percentage point rise in the unemployment rate could cause 1.1 million to become uninsured and Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment to jump by one million, costing taxpayers $3.4 billion.
“AARP is committed to working for comprehensive health care reform in a way that protects and improves Medicare, expands access to the 46 million Americans who do not have health insurance, slows down run away increases in medical costs and improves the quality of care we receive throughout the health care system,” Kallio said.
Kallio encouraged AARP members to visit www.healthactionnow.org to learn more about health care reform, and to be informed before forming an opinion.
“AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family,” he said. “I hope you’ll join us in this important American dialogue. Together we have the power to make it better.”
Added: September 4, 2009
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An Open Letter from
Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP, Virginia Health Commissioner to
Grandmothers About the Novel H1N1 Influenza and How to Best to
Prepare and Protect Your Family, Community and Yourself
Everywhere we turn, we hear about
the novel H1N1 flu, commonly referred to as “swine
flu.” While you most likely have learned a lot about this
novel influenza infection from the media, as a grandmother and
trusted advisor about health issues it is important that you have
access to accurate and timely information. I find a helpful
source of information to be the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
website, www.cdc.gov/H1N1. You will
find lots of practical information and answers to the many questions
that may arise as you and your family prepare for the upcoming flu
season. In addition, each state health department has
it’s own website, most easily found by searching “[state
name] and health department,” i.e. “Virginia health
department.” These sites will provide important local and
regional information.
There are three areas in our
response to this new influenza in which you in your role as
grandmother and trusted health advisor can have significant impact;
- support of your family and community to both prevent infection and provide support when illness arises,
- keep yourself healthy and lastly,
- understand the vaccination campaign.
The reason we call this flu
“novel” is that it is a different combination of flu
particles than scientists have seen before. History tells us
when this occurs, it is likely that the virus may act unpredictably,
possibly causing worse disease and affecting different people than
the regular or seasonal influenza. Unlike seasonal flu, this
virus affects children and young adults in greater proportion than
older adults. Pregnant women and people with chronic diseases
are also at higher risk to get more seriously ill.
In fact, it appears to be one time
when being over 65 may be offer some degree of protection. It
is thought that people in this age category may have been infected
by a similar virus earlier in life resulting in a degree of
immunity. So celebrate your age! This also means that
there is a higher chance that your children or grandchildren may
become infected and potentially ill. Schools, workplaces, and
daycare are common places for people to share germs. Helping
your family develop a plan to assist in caring for loved ones when
ill, offering to be an emergency school contact for your
grandchildren and encouraging your children to plan for potential
illness this fall by having food, medicine and any essentials needed
in their home in case they will need to stay at home with a sick
child can all really make a difference.
Next, think about how you keep
yourself and your family members healthy. Using good hand
hygiene, covering coughs, and staying home when ill are just a few
of the recommendations you can find on the CDC
website. Seasonal flu vaccine is currently available and the
CDC recommends that we all get this vaccine early. Even though
we are all talking about the new H1N1 flu, the seasonal flu will
definitely still be here and can be particularly dangerous for the
very young, those over 65, pregnant people, and people with chronic
diseases. So get your own seasonal flu shot early and encourage
other family members to do likewise. Many health care providers
offer the seasonal flu vaccine along with your local health
department and many pharmacies.
Lastly, the federal government has
contracted with vaccine manufacturers to develop a vaccine to
prevent H1N1 influenza infection. This vaccine will be very
similar to the seasonal flu vaccine many of us get yearly. It
will not be released for use in the general population until careful
studies have been done to determine its safety and
effectiveness. The H1N1 vaccine is scheduled to be available in
mid-October. Encouraging your children to consult a doctor
about getting themselves and your grandchildren vaccinated could
further protect them from this virus. Pregnancy is a
particularly important time to get vaccinated as this will protect
both mother and baby from getting ill. Pregnant women should
consult their doctor before being vaccinated. Ultimately, each
person who gets vaccinated not only protects themselves but also
those around them, thus decreasing the potential for spread to
others. If you are under 65 with any chronic medical condition
please be sure to consult your doctor about being vaccinated for
H1N1. Your local health department can help you find a close
location to receive vaccine.
This fall we each have an
opportunity to show leadership within our families and communities
around this important personal and public health issue. I
encourage you to have discussions about these topics with your
family and friends and use the CDC, state and local health
department websites as sources of accurate and timely information.
Through knowledge, prevention
activities and vaccination we can minimize the impact of this new
infection on our families and communities.
Sincerely,
Karen
Remley, MD, MBA
Commissioner
of Health, Virginia
Added: August 28, 2009
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