AARP Online Community: AARPwy - My Journals & Blogs

Bill will help 76,000 Wyoming Medicare recipients and 11,000 Wyoming uninsured 50-64 year olds

Nov. 5, 2009

Since we began our latest battle for comprehensive health care reform more than two years ago, AARP has fought for a health care bill that provides quality, affordable health coverage options for all Americans and protects Medicare for seniors and for future generations.

We have read the House of Representatives’ Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961), and we can say with confidence that they meet our priorities for protecting Medicare and reforming our health care system.

For the more than 45 million Americans in Medicare – 76,000 in Wyoming alone – the House plan completely closes the dangerous gap in prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, adds cost-free preventive benefits like cancer screenings, cracks down on waste and fraud and protects the traditional Medicare benefits people in the program rely on.

For all Americans—including our younger members who often struggle to find affordable insurance (an estimated 11,000 in Wyoming between the ages of 50 to 64 are uninsured) — the House plan makes coverage more affordable by strictly limiting how much more insurance companies charge based on age. Americans will also no longer be denied coverage based on health history or discriminated against because of gender, and those who still cannot afford insurance on their own will receive help to purchase affordable coverage.

In addition, the House plan begins to repair the country’s outdated system of long-term care with new provisions to help people prepare for their long-term care needs and live in their own homes as they grow older.

While AARP is pleased to see that H.R. 3962/H.R. 3961 include many of the proposals that are most critical to protecting Medicare and ensuring Americans age 50+ have access to stable, affordable health care, we know the fight isn’t over. That’s why we’re going to keep working with members of the House and Senate to ensure our priorities are included in any final health care reform bill.

And, as the legislative process moves forward, we’ve let Congress and the Administration know that we will fight with the strength of our nearly 40 million members against any proposal that would hurt rather than help Medicare and older Americans’ access to affordable, quality health care.

We will continue to provide the information you need to decide for yourself what the health reform will mean to you. For information on the latest developments, go to www.aarp.org/getthefacts.

Added: November 5, 2009
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AARP Disappointed by Senate Vote on S1776

October 22, 2009

AARP Disappointed by Senate’s Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors

S. 1776 would have preserved access by replacing flawed payment system

SUMMARY: Yesterday the U.S. Senate blocked critical legislation to protect access to doctors for the 44 million Americans who rely on Medicare. The Medicare Physician Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have replaced today’s broken doctor payment system, which calls for a 21.5 percent cut in physician pay in January. The bill failed to pass a key procedural vote in the Senate today.

“We are disappointed that both Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso voted to block this important Medicare bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor,” AARP Wyoming Director Tim Summers said, “This bill would permanently replace the broken Medicare physician payment system so people in the program could continue to see their doctor.”

AARP strongly supported the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). This legislation would have permanently repealed Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment formula, which has required repeated Congressional action to prevent unwarranted cuts that could harm access to doctors for people in Medicare. Repealing the SGR will stop an unprecedented 21.5 percent pay cut that otherwise will occur in January 2010, and additional cuts in future years.

AARP notified the 111^th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members.

“We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials,” Summers said. “AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information.”

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: October 22, 2009
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Where AARP Stands on Health Care

Sept. 22, 2009

There's been a lot of confusion about what's involved in health care reform, and even more confusion about who is supporting what. At AARP, our core goal remains the same. We are fighting for our members today, just as we've fought for them for the last 50 years. Today, that means we're fighting to protect the Medicare benefits you’ve earned. To guarantee that you’ll never be denied coverage because of your health or age. To prevent anyone from coming between you and your doctor. And to make sure patients don’t take a backseat to insurance companies.

More specifically, AARP is fighting to:

Protect Medicare Benefits.Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors – because no one should be left to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work. We must protect the Medicare benefits seniors have earned and strengthen the program for future generations. We’re also working to fill in gaps in today’s benefit package, such as closing the Part D prescription drug coverage gap (the so-called “doughnut hole.”) and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for important preventive care like cancer screenings and diabetes tests.

Eliminate Waste: We must reduce waste in Medicare so we can ensure today’s seniors continue to get the benefits they’ve been promised. Currently, Medicare hands out billions in subsidies to private insurance companies. These are tax dollars that should be going to seniors’ care not insurance company subsidies. By eliminating this waste, we can protect senior benefits and fill in some of the gaps in Medicare.

Preserve Your Choice of Doctor: AARP is fighting to ensure doctors get paid fairly so seniors will have the freedom to choose the doctors they need. Without health reform, Medicare doctors will be forced to take a 21 percent pay cut.

Protect Your Right to Make Medical Decisions: AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government. No matter what your age, your care should be your choice.

Prevent Discrimination. Health reform must end insurance abuses, such as denials of coverage due to a person’s health history, or using age as an excuse to charge sky-high premiums. Such discrimination has become a serious problem for Americans age 50-plus who need insurance, and AARP is fighting to make sure needed protections are in a final health reform plan.

Protect Consumers: AARP is fighting to stop the high prices charged by drug companies by: enabling drug price negotiation; allowing safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad; and permitting the sale of generic versions of biologic drugs – costly medications for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

AARP will continue to scrutinize health reform proposals, to determine whether they make sense for our members and their families. We are watching this process closely and will continue to work to make sure all Americans have the health coverage they need.

Stay informed. Read the latest news on how AARP is fighting for you. http://www.aarp.org/getthefacts

Added: September 22, 2009
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Home Heating Assistance Applications in the Mail, on the Web

Sept. 21, 2009

CHEYENNE– The Wyoming Department of Family Services announced Monday that a new application for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Program is in the mail, at DFS field offices, online and soon will be found at senior centers and other places in your town.

LIEAP (pronounced lee-ap) and Weatherization are decades-old programs using federal dollars to help low-income and fixed-income families and elders cover the high costs of home heating and make homes more energy efficient.

"Applications have been mailed to everyone who used LIEAP last year," DFS LIEAP Program Manager Brenda Ilg said. "The application can be downloaded from the DFS Web site, and we’re mailing applications to people who ask."

To get an application or learn more about this home heating help, go to DFS’ homepage,

http://dfsweb.state.wy.us and look for the LIEAP and Weatherization for Home Heating link. Paper applications can be requested by calling the LIEAP help line at

1-800-246-4221 or by visiting a local DFS office. Applications are being mailed this week to senior centers throughout the state.

Those who qualify for LIEAP also qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Participants can own or rent their home, it doesn’t matter, but an application is required and income is one factor in qualifying for LIEAP and Weatherization.

"LIEAP served more than 13,000 Wyoming households last year, and given the current economic conditions, we think we’ll see at least that many this year," Ilg said. "We really want elders to apply, and we’re asking adult children to help their parents or neighbors apply for LIEAP."

Added: September 21, 2009
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AARP Comments on Senate Finance Committee legislation

Sept. 16, 2009

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President John Rother released this statement following today’s introduction of health care reform legislation in the Senate Finance Committee:

“Today’s legislation moves the process forward and we hope the Chairman and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle can continue to have a rational, informed debate about its provisions as the committee’s markup process begins.

“AARP is pleased that the bill focuses on keeping people healthy by eliminating out-of-pocket spending for important screenings and preventive services in Medicare, and by covering annual wellness visits for Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors to focus on prevention. Under the legislation, doctors would be rewarded for providing quality care instead of for the number of tests ordered—a critical step in ensuring patients receive the highest quality care.

“The bill also includes incentives to improve quality of care by providing bonuses to Medicare Advantage plans while reducing subsidies to MA plans, saving taxpayers billions in waste. It introduces a pilot program on follow-up care, an important component in reducing costly and preventable hospital readmissions. Finally, the bill eliminates yearly and lifetime limits on what insurance companies will pay and substantially fills the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole—a costly gap in prescription drug coverage.

“However, we continue to have concerns about provisions that would allow for large differences in premiums based on age that could leave millions of older Americans still unable to afford the coverage they need. We also are troubled by the lack of any provisions to improve benefits for people with limited incomes so they can afford Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and by the inclusion of an added premium tax that would raise prescription drug premiums on many middle-income working people in Medicare Part D.

“We look forward to working with Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Grassley and their colleagues in the coming weeks to pass a health care reform package that protects benefits for people in Medicare and works for every American.”

Added: September 16, 2009
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AARP Responds to Presidential Speech on Wall Street

New AARP Survey Shows Support For Increased Consumer Protections in Financial Industry

Sept. 14, 2009

Washington , DC – AARP Executive Vice President, Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech today on Wall Street:

“Older Americans saw their retirement savings decimated by the economic crisis. AARP has long maintained that consumers must be armed with as much information as possible so that they can make sound financial decisions. In a world where individuals must plan for their own financial futures, information is imperative and greater protections are needed in the marketplace.

“AARP supports the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would advocate on behalf of consumers’ needs in the financial marketplace. It is important that individuals know they are buying products and getting financial advice from industry certified advisors. It is important that when individuals buy a product that has been recommended to them it is the right product for their needs.

“In a recent AARP survey, 95 percent of people 25 years and older believe in having investment services firms increase their transparency around the costs, risks and benefits of all financial products they offer. The same number of individuals believe companies that manage 401(k) plans should be required to clearly explain their fees on participant’s annual statements. AARP has long advocated for transparency in 401(k) plans, having known that the majority of investors are unaware of the fees associated with their retirement savings.

“Similarly strong support exists for providing consumers with information on how to monitor their investment advisors and report possible professional misconduct (89 percent), and allow them to check their investment advisor’s record (93 percent). Finally, 69 percent believe in only permitting investment firms to sell products that are suitable for the needs, objectives, and risk tolerance of their consumers.

“AARP looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to protect consumer’s financial well-being and to improve the economic security of American families.”

Added: September 14, 2009
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AARP Comments on Health Care Reform and Older Americans report

August 27, 2009

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President John Rother released this statement in response to today’s report by the Department of Health and Human Services, “America’s Seniors and Health Insurance Reform: Protecting Coverage and Strengthening Medicare.”

“Older Americans are keenly aware of the high cost and inefficiencies of our current health care system. As today’s report notes, a couple today needs to save $300,000 just to cover their health care bills in retirement.

“Too often, people age 50 to 64 find themselves unable to purchase affordable insurance because of a preexisting condition, or simply because of their age, making them the fastest growing group of uninsured Americans. And each year, millions of people in Medicare fall into the doughnut hole—a costly gap in their prescription drug coverage—or struggle to find a doctor willing to take new Medicare patients.

“Health care proposals pending in Congress would guarantee every American has a choice of affordable, dependable health coverage, close the Medicare doughnut hole, pay doctors in Medicare fairly and take major steps to combat the skyrocketing costs of health care.

“We look forward to working with the Administration in the coming weeks to create a health care system that strengthens Medicare, protects patients and makes insurance fair for everyone.”

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: August 27, 2009
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AARP Reacts to Presidential Health Care Townhall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2009

AARP Reacts to President’s Health Care Townhall

WASHINGTON – AARP Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson issued this statement following remarks by the President at a townhall event in New Hampshire on health care reform.

“AARP has been working with Democrats and Republicans to fix our broken health care system.

“While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate.

“AARP supports specific measures that would help older Americans and their families – including bipartisan proposals to create a new follow-up care benefit in Medicare that would help prevent hospital re-admissions, as well as to address the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the ‘doughnut hole.’ We also support the need for lawmakers and the Administration to act this year to fix what doesn’t work in the health care system.

“We share the President’s commitment to act this year, and our members appreciate his insistence that any final reform package will not reduce Medicare benefits for the millions of people that literally depend on that program as a lifeline.

“We look forward to working with leaders of both parties, including the President, to build a final package we could endorse that addresses the concerns of the 50-plus population and brings quality, affordable health care choices to every American.”

For more information about AARP’s Health Action Now campaign, please visit www.healthactionnow.org.

Added: August 11, 2009
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First 2009 Wyoming West Nile Virus Cases Reported

August 6, 2009

The state’s first human West Nile virus (WNV) cases have been reported to the Wyoming Department of Health and identified through lab testing in an adult female from Converse County and an adult male from Platte County.

“While case counts have varied widely, there has been West Nile activity each year since the virus arrived in Wyoming so these newly reported cases are no surprise,” said Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of Health.

“Wyoming residents really should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” Murphy said. WNV is spread by mosquitoes after they feed on infected birds and then bite people, other birds and animals.

The “5 D’s” of WNV prevention are:

1) DAWN and 2) DUSK - Most mosquito species prefer to feed at dawn or dusk, so avoid spending time outdoors during these times.

3) DRESS - Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when spending time outdoors or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light-colored and made of tightly woven materials.

4) DRAIN - Reduce the amount of standing water in or near your property because mosquitoes breed in shallow, stagnant water.

5) DEET - Use an insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide). Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET because mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing. Permethrin should not be used on bare skin. Another insect repellent, Picaridin (KBR 3023), is also highly effective.

Most people infected with WNV never develop symptoms. Among those who become ill, symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. A very small percentage of infected persons develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease (i.e. meningitis or encephalitis) with symptoms such as severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

The Wyoming Public Health Laboratory offers free WNV testing for healthcare providers with suspected cases in their patients.

In Wyoming last year there were 10 human West Nile virus cases with no deaths reported. There were 185 human cases with 2 deaths in 2007; 65 human cases with 2 deaths in 2006; 12 human cases with 2 deaths in 2005; 10 human cases with no deaths in 2004; 393 human cases with 9 deaths in 2003; and 2 human cases with no deaths in 2002.

More information about WNV is available online www.badskeeter.org or by calling 1-877-WYO-BITE.

Added: August 6, 2009
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Medicare offers help paying for prescription medications

For years you did your part by paying into Medicare. Now it’s your turn to get the most out of the benefits you’ve earned.

If you have limited income and resources, there’s a Medicare program where you pay no more than $2.40 for each generic drug and $6 for each brand name drug.

If you qualify, this program helps pay your prescription copayments plus your other drug costs like monthly premiums and annual deductibles.

Many people qualify and don’t even know it. Individuals who make less than $16,245 and married couples who make less than $21,855 may qualify to have lower Medicare prescription drug premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, these individuals’ resources must also be limited to $12,510 or $25,010 for married couples. Resources include things like bank accounts, stocks and bonds, but not your house or car.

Applying for this program is free. Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. All information provided in the application is confidential.

If you have a limited income, you know that sometimes making ends meet means making tough decisions. That shouldn’t mean going without your medications. Apply now to make sure you have the prescription drugs you need to stay healthy and keep doing what you love.

To learn more about Medicare prescription drug plans and when you can join, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit www.medicare.gov on the web.

This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Added: August 5, 2009
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