Utahns for Ethical Government, a nonpartisan coalition of Utah citizens committed to legislative ethics reform, announced a citizens’ initiative to reform the ethical standards and processes governing the Utah State Legislature earlier this week.  The initiative would enact a strict code of ethical standards for Utah lawmakers and create an independent ethics commission to apply the code and make enforcement recommendations to the Utah State legislature.

AARP Utah joined more than 150 AARP staff and volunteers from every state for a Health Action Now lobby day in Washington, DC on July 30. Heath Action Now is AARP's campaign to ensure that federal health care reform, among other priorities, preserves Medicare benefits, closes the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D, and helps people age 50-64 obtain affordable, quality health care.  Joining Laura Polacheck, Advoacy Director from the AARP Utah state office, were volunteers Bob Wassom and Leanne Walker, both of whom shared their concerns about health care under the current system.  The Utah team met with representatives from Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett's office, as well as a legislative aide from Rep. Jim Matheson's office.   

 Throughout the debate on how to fix what’s broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family.  When we see special interests using scare tactics, we’ll make sure you’re given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform. Click here to check out AARP’s: blog , which is highlighting some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong.

By Laura Polacheck, AARP Utah’s Director of Advocacy

Fundamental to our country’s view of democracy is that each person’s vote counts the same, regardless of where they live.  But when voting boundaries are manipulated to give one political party or group an unfair advantage over another, everyone’s voting rights are compromised.  This process of drawing district lines to give political advantage to one party over another is referred to as “gerrymandering.” Unfortunately, Utah is considered one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, meaning that our state and federal legislative districts do not fairly represent natural geographic boundaries.  Some towns are split in half, with the same community represented by two or more different legislators.  

Thousands of AARP Utah members were able to join Senator Bob Bennett for a “tele-town hall meeting” on May 15 to discuss federal health care reform.  Tele-town hall meetings are a relatively new way to include thousands of people in a town hall meeting without leaving their homes; instead, they become part of a live call with elected officials, policymakers, or other community leaders who wish to reach a large audience.  Senator Bennett has monthly tele-town hall meetings with constituents, but has never participated in a meeting comprised exclusively of AARP Utah members.  AARP state offices around the country have used tele-town hall meetings for the last few years as a way to connect large numbers of people without requiring participants to travel a great distance as they might have in the past.

For the tele-town hall meeting on May 15, AARP called 38,000 members in Utah to ask if they wanted to join a live hour-long discussion with Senator Bennett, which was moderated by AARP Utah State Director Rob Ence from Senator Bennett’s office in Washington, DC.  Approximately 8000 joined the call to listen to Ence outline AARP’s position on health care reform and Senator Bennett’s goals for legislation in Congress.  Participants were able to ask questions by connecting to AARP Utah staff during the live tele-town hall meeting, who then put callers in a “queue” so that they could ask their questions directly to Senator Bennett.

Most of the questions focused on cost concerns, affordability, and the role of government in providing health care to all Americans.  AARP’s concerns include providing coverage to those 50-64; closing the “donut hole” in Medicare Part D (the gap in prescription drug coverage); increasing the speed with which generic drugs can be approved, increasing funding for home and community-based care, improving health programs for low-income Americans, and reducing hospital readmissions.

Senator Bennett expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to speak directly to AARP Utah members and invited people to share their concerns with him on his website at www.bennett.senate.gov.
 

The AARP Driver Safety Program is now available in Utah in a new 4-hour version!

 Members receive first look at Association’s plans to bring affordable health care choices to every American on AARP.org

For details on AARP’s health reform campaign, visit www.aarp.org/makeadifference/advocacy/GovernmentWatch/HealthCare/

WASHINGTON—AARP today announced six specific elements that must be part of health reform, including closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap and ensuring 50- to 64-year-olds have access to affordable health care choices.  AARP members and activists were the first to learn about the announcement when the organization posted its goals on its Government Watch website this morning.

 “The next few weeks will be an all-out blitz for health reform,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.  “As leaders on Capitol Hill hammer out the details of their legislation, we want to make sure they include the priorities that we’re hearing from our members.  Any final package must include these critical issues.” AARP’s health reform campaign will focus on six critical priorities: