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ESPN Sportscaster Jorge Ramos and Radio & TV

Talk Show Host Padre Alberto Cutié Named AARP’s

New Hispanic Ambassadors

New Roles Reinforce AARP’s Commitment to Continued Growth of

Diversity Outreach and Service

MIAMI, FL (April 2, 2009) – AARP, one of the world's largest member organizations with over 40 million members and the leading organization for people 50+, today announced that it has named renowned ESPN sportscaster Jorge Ramos and radio and TV personality Father Alberto Cutié, better known as Padre Alberto, as the organization’s new Hispanic Ambassadors. As a well-respected Spanish-language sportscaster, Jorge Ramos’ focus will be on health & fitness and enjoyment, providing AARP members with information on the important role of having an active and healthy lifestyle. AARP members will also get life navigation guidance from Padre Alberto, who will focus on relationships, financial well-being and staying involved in the community.

“It’s key for us to reach the 50+ Hispanic community and deliver the information and resources that are most relevant to them,” said Emilio Pardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, AARP. “Both Jorge Ramos and Padre Alberto’s expertise on these important topics make them ideal resources for our members and we look forward to working with them on reaching the millions of Hispanics in our country.”

Hispanics age 50+ make up 8.3 percent of the total U.S. population--a number that is expected to double by the year 2040. Ramos and Cutié will engage AARP’s Hispanic members during various activities in 2009 including AARP’s Vegas@50+ national event this fall and the upcoming AARP Life Festival in San Antonio, TX which kicks off on May 15^th.

A household name for Hispanic sports followers, Jorge Ramos is one of the most respected Spanish-language Sportscasters/Journalists in the United States. As such, he has witnessed the importance of staying fit and healthy, as well as enjoying sports and activities with friends and family. As Hispanic Ambassador, Ramos will provide tips like how to reduce the risk of diabetes, enjoying a healthy game day, indoors and out, and living a healthy life after 50, among others. Ramos will reach out to the community through monthly English and Spanish language Web casts and blogs, which will be posted on AARP’s Web site (www.aarp.org/espanol).

“An active lifestyle that includes exercise and a balanced diet plays such an important role in ensuring that we remain healthy as we grow older,” said Jorge Ramos. “My hope is to provide health and fitness tips based on my experiences to help Hispanics 50 and older and their families stay fit and enjoy being active.”

Just as Ramos’ role as Hispanic Ambassador will demonstrate how AARP can be with you in body through health and fitness advice, Father Alberto Cutié will show how AARP can benefit your mind and soul by offering useful life navigation tips to the organization’s members.

A priest of the Archdiocese of Miami and General Director of Pax Catholic Communications (home of Radio Peace in Miami), Cutié has also been referred to as “Father Oprah” and is considered to be one of the most influential Hispanics in the country. He will connect with the 50+ Hispanic community through AARP’s online community, providing insight on topics such as facing your financial future, giving back to your community, and connecting across generations. He can currently be heard on his radio shows on “Radio Peace,” and his television talk show “Hablando Claro con el Padre Alberto." His first self-help book entitled, Real Life, Real Love: Seven Paths to a Strong and Lasting Relationship was released in January 2006.

“Most of my work in the media has been dedicated to offer Latinos guidance in facing life’s many changes and struggles,” said Padre Alberto Cutié. “I’m excited to be working with AARP to help the Hispanic community navigate through important life decisions, offering them advice on how to remain involved and active in their community and with their family as they grow older.”

Additional information about Ramos and Cutie can be found online at www.aarp.org/espanol.

Added: April 3, 2009
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Check Out How the Kansas Delegation Voted on Serve America Act

Congress Passes Needed National Service Legislation

AARP Tracks “Key Vote” on Government Watch for 40 Million Members;

Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore Votes in Favor

House Members Jenkins, Moran and Tiahrt Join Senators Brownback and Roberts in Voting Against the Serve America Act

Topeka , KS – AARP applauds Congress for passing the Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act—a bill that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Designated as a “key vote” by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, the votes of each member of Congress are posted on AARP’s Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so individuals across the nation can see how their legislators voted on this important bill.

Maren Turner, State Director for AARP Kansas, released the following statement today:

“AARP members stand ready to give, and offer a lifetime of acquired skills to meet a range of community needs. The Serve America Act will help provide the additional service opportunities people age 50+ are looking for.”

“In a survey conducted for AARP last year, millions of boomers and older Americans said that in the next five years, they want to increase their volunteer service to improve their communities and our world.”

Below is the key vote summary of how Kansas’ elected officials voted on the Serve America Act, which can also be found at www.aarp.org/governmentwatch:

Elected Official	VOTED YES TO PASS SERVE AMERICA ACT	VOTED NO ON SERVE AMERICA ACT
Brownback, Sam		X
Roberts, Pat		X
Jenkins, Lynn		X
Moore, Dennis	X
Moran, Jerry		X
Tiahrt, Todd		X

A recent letter from AARP CEO Bill Novelli outlines the most important issues for older Americans in this legislation:

This legislation will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities to include social services, environment, health, caregiving, nurturing, mentoring, intergenerational solutions, education, economic development and community development.

AARP is pleased that the bill will improve service opportunities for persons age 50+ so that they can apply a lifetime of acquired skills to help remedy a range of identified service needs. AARP encourages expanding volunteer service for older persons by allowing older volunteers to occupy important decision-making roles.

We are also supportive of the provisions that improve the capacity of non-profit, service and philanthropic organizations to recruit, manage and apply volunteer skills to identified service needs in this period of economic recession and lower charitable giving.

Added: April 2, 2009
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AARP Kansas Calls for Support of Statewide Clean Indoor Air law

The Kansas Legislature continues to deliberate on enacting a statewide clean indoor air law. The legislation prohibits smoking in most indoor public places with the exceptions of casino and racetrack floors, designated areas of long-term care facilities, and private clubs established as of January 1, 2009.

AARP Kansas and its partners are asking Kansans to contact their state representatives about this important issue for the following reasons:

The Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act Will Save Lives.

We lose approximately 400 people annually in Kansas to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. The Surgeon General has declared there is “no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.” Kansas workers deserve a healthy work environment, free from second-hand smoke. A Centers for Disease Control study of Pueblo, Colorado’s clean indoor air ordinance revealed a 41 percent reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks after the ordinance was implemented.

The Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act Will Save Money.

Kansas taxpayers pay for the health costs associated with second-hand smoke. Along with the well-documented health consequences of second-hand smoke, there is a considerable cost impact. ·

Kansans Overwhelmingly Support a Statewide Clean Indoor Air Law.

According to a recent poll, 71 percent of Kansans support a statewide clean indoor air law. Kansans realize, just as the residents of the 26 states that already have a clean indoor air law, that this policy is a win for our health and pocketbooks. Eighty percent of Kansans do not smoke and should have the right to go out in public without being subjected to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

There is No Economic Downside to a Clean Indoor Air Law.

While bars and restaurants may claim economic disaster if a statewide clean indoor air law is adopted, know the facts. Several economic impact studies have been done in states with clean indoor air laws and the findings consistently demonstrate no negative financial impact to bar and restaurant owners. In many cases, revenues actually increase. The Kansas Health Institute (KHI) recently finished its own study on the Lawrence clean indoor air ordinance and its findings are consistent with national studies. Several restaurant and bar owners have come forward in support of clean indoor air because it has been good for business and good for employees, including the owner of Johnny’s Tavern.

This is a Public Health Issue, Not a Local Control Issue.

Every Kansas resident deserves protection from second-hand smoke, not just those fortunate enough to live in a community with a clean indoor air ordinance. Some communities that have adopted clean indoor air ordinances now face recall petitions to reverse this action because of the well-financed efforts of a few seeking to thwart the will of the majority.

Passing the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act is the most significant health initiative that the legislature could enact this year!

To contact your legislators, go to www.kslegislature.org

Added: March 27, 2009
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Join AARP's Free Lunch Monitor Program

Buyer Beware: There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Especially at Tax Time

Help Fight Investment Fraud in Your State

Americans are often bombarded by junk mail; unwanted phone calls during dinnertime, and, in many cases, with “free lunch” investment seminar invitations. This is particularly true during tax season when the invitations promise no risk investments and ways to avoid all taxes. Although many of these seminars sell legitimate products, there have been far too many reports of people being scammed out of their life savings.

AARP, in collaboration with the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), is working diligently to fight consumer fraud by encouraging individuals to join the Free Lunch Monitor program. Hundreds of people have already joined this national campaign to help monitor free lunch investment seminars.

By becoming a Free Lunch Monitor, you can help to fight fraud in Kansas. If you plan to attend a seminar, take the “What to Listen for Checklist” and report your findings to AARP. We are sharing this information with securities regulators nationwide. Please visit the web site www.aarp.org/nofreelunches to download the checklist and help make the market place safer for all investors.

Added: March 24, 2009
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Help a Friend, Neighbor, Family Member Manage Their RX

AARP Launches New Initiative Encouraging Kansans to Help Others

Better Manage their Prescriptions

Rx Snapshot tracks drugs and helps older Americans talk with their health care professionals about managing their meds

AARP has released Rx Snapshot, a free, online tool that Kansans can use to help older family members, friends or neighbors manage their medications safely and effectively.

The need is clear: 65 percent of Americans over 65 are using one or more inappropriate medications, and 57 percent are taking medications that are ineffective, duplicative or unneeded [1] .

An initiative of Create the Good, a network of independent volunteers active in neighborhoods across the country, Rx Snapshot is an easy way to help older Americans record the medications they are taking and talk with their health care professional about how they might better manage their meds. The free resource is available at www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood .

“Using prescriptions wisely and effectively is incredibly important to helping people of all ages who take medications stay well,” said AARP Kansas State Director Maren Turner. “Helping a loved one or a neighbor complete an Rx Snapshot is a small task that can have a big impact on their health and maybe even their pocketbook.”

AARP is encouraging people to visit www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood to download the Rx Snapshot and either call older relatives and loved ones or organize a community group to help neighbors fill out the one-page sheet. The Rx Snapshot toolkit gives older Americans:

A way to keep updated records of their medications
Tips to having a conversation with their health care provider about the risks and benefits of their prescriptions
The opportunity to consider generics as money-saving alternatives

Information on where to volunteer or to get local community groups involved can be found at www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood .

[1] Of older patients studied, 65% were using one or more inappropriate medication; 37% were taking medications on the Beers drugs-to-avoid-list; 57% were taking medication deemed ineffective, not indicated or duplicative; 64% had under-use of medication; and, 42% had inappropriate use and underuse. Further, the higher the number of drugs, the higher the risk of inappropriate medications. Source: Steinman, M., Landefeld, C., Rosenthal, G., Berththal, D., Sen, S., & Keboli, P. (2006) Polypharmacy and prescribing quality in older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54, 1516-1523.

Added: March 16, 2009
Views: 115 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Kansas Applauds Sebelius Nomination

Topeka—AARP Kansas today responded to President Barack Obama’s nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius to be Secretary of Health and Human Services with the following statement:

“We’re very excited here in Kansas that the President has selected an individual who has proven herself as an effective leader who can work across the aisle to get things done,” said AARP State Director Maren Turner. “We applaud his decision to nominate Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“Through our years of working with her in Kansas, we know first hand about the Governor’s commitment to health care reform. She has demonstrated this commitment through her leadership both as Governor and as Insurance Commissioner. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table and we look forward to working with Gov. Sebelius after her confirmation to make health care reform a reality in 2009.”

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 34.5 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.

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Added: March 2, 2009
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AARP Kansas is Urging Congress to Act for Health Care Reform

AARP Applauds President’s Commitment to Health Reform in 2009, Tells Congress It’s Their Turn to Act

Topeka , KS—AARP has announced the next phase of its campaign to reform America’s health care system, capitalizing on an eventful week in Washington—including the release of President Obama’s budget plan—to build more momentum across the country.

“President Obama used his bully pulpit earlier this week at the Fiscal Responsibility Summit and in his speech to Congress to highlight the importance of health care reform,” said AARP State Director Maren Turner. “We also saw key leaders from both parties and both chambers of Congress discuss the urgency of action and begin to consider the hard choices on funding reform.

“We applaud their commitment to pass reform legislation this year,” said Turner. “It’s now time for all our elected officials to follow these leads.

Turner responded to the release of President Obama’s budget plan for the coming year, which AARP had asked to include a commitment to health care reform in 2009.

“The president’s budget plan includes an important down-payment on health care reform,” said Turner. “As he said, however, he will need bipartisan action from Congress this year to get the whole job done. It’s time for Congress to put its own solutions forward.”

AARP is launching the next phase of its health care reform campaign. AARP Kansas volunteers are visiting Kansas Congressional offices to urge quick, bipartisan action on health reform. AARP volunteers are presenting their lawmakers with a simple message: “It’s your turn—do it right.”

“We are making it clear to our leaders that they need to work with the president in a bipartisan fashion to complete the plan for reform and finance reform in a fiscally—and morally—responsible way,” said Turner. “They must make sure that any savings from Medicare and Medicaid are dedicated to reforms that strengthen the quality, efficiency and performance of our health care system, including these critical lifeline programs.”

AARP also announced key priorities to be included in health reform legislation in 2009, including:

Making affordable health care coverage options available to everyone, especially people ages 50-64 who are among the fastest growing group of uninsured;
Keeping Medicare affordable by rewarding doctors and hospitals for quality rather than the quantity of care;
Promoting prevention and healthy behaviors;
Eliminating fraud, waste and abuse; and
Improving care coordination for people with chronic conditions and helping them stay in their homes and out of institutions.

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Added: February 27, 2009
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Watch How Elected Leaders Are Voting on AARP "Key Votes"

AARP Launches Government Watch Website to Hold Elected Leaders Accountable on Issues that Matter Most to Older Americans

With AARP’s 40 Million Members Watching, Website Roll-out Tied to First “Key Vote” of the 111^th Congress

Washington, D.C. –AARP has launched Government Watch, an interactive website designed to enable older Americans to hold accountable Congress and the Obama Administration on issues that matter most to them. Rolling out in conjunction with AARP’s first designated “key vote” of the 111^th Congress, Government Watch puts Members of Congress on notice that when they cast a vote on an issue important to Americans 50+, 80 million eyes will be watching.

After each key vote, AARP will notify its 40 million members and let them know how each Member of Congress voted, encouraging them to contact their Senators and Representatives to register their thanks or disappointment through email, phone calls and office visits. At the end of each congressional session, AARP will release a “Key Vote Summary,” providing a one-stop summary of how Members of Congress voted on key legislation. In addition, AARP recognizes Members of Congress who champion legislation that benefits Americans 50+ through AARP’s Congressional Award Program.

“Today’s elected leaders must find solutions to unprecedented challenges, challenges that will require tough decisions and statesmanship,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President. “From fixing our broken health care system to helping to restore financial stability for Americans in communities throughout our nation, Congress and the new Administration have a real opportunity to make better the lives of the millions of Boomers and older Americans. AARP’s 40 million members are calling for action, and they want their government to do so in a transparent and accountable manner.”

Government Watch features several tools to help keep the public informed. Among them are AARP’s 2009 federal advocacy agenda; priority legislation; a congressional vote summary by state; Administration action on issues facing older Americans; fact sheets detailing the impact of AARP’s legislative priorities on Americans 50+ in each state; and Congressional champions. Standout features include:

Ø Eye on Congress: Government Watch’s “Key Vote Summary” tracks how the Senators and Representatives are voting on the issues critical to Americans age 50+. It also provides members with a simple way to give their elected officials feedback on his or her voting record.

Ø Eye on the States: AARP has offices in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For each state, AARP has data that underscores why we need to: reform health care; invest more in home and community based care; help struggling homeowners stay in their homes while paying off debt; and provide all Americans with a way to save for retirement at work.

For more information on Government Watch visit www.aarp.org/governmentwatch .

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 34.5 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.

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Added: February 16, 2009
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Children's Health Insurance Legislation Signed into Law

AARP Praises Historic Law Boosting Children’s Health, Looks Ahead to Comprehensive Reform

AARP’s Novelli: “We can’t give in to the doubters

who say health reform is impossible”

WASHINGTON—AARP CEO Bill Novelli joined President Barack Obama at the White House for his signing of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Novelli’s statement follows:

“President Obama and the Congress today fulfilled two important promises – long overdue relief for working families who struggle to keep their kids healthy, and hope that partisanship will not stand in the way of a bigger effort to reform our broken health care system.

“Keeping all American children healthy is vital for the future of our country. Ensuring their access to checkups, immunizations and urgent care will mean more of our kids grow up to be healthy adults, lifting a financial burden off our families and our health care system.

“The funding for this program shows that health reform can be a win-win for the country. By using a tax on tobacco, we are not only keeping kids healthier now, but also protecting their long-term health by discouraging smoking – a habit that causes deadly, costly and largely preventable diseases.

“Our leaders have shown the political will to make progress on health reform. Today represents more of a start than a finish – we must keep pushing to fix the health care system that squeezes all Americans and their employers.

“We can’t give in to the doubters who say health reform is impossible, just as we can’t give in to the complacent who believe it is inevitable.

“While we are disappointed that an issue so clearly important as children’s health insurance was subject to some of the partisan rancor that has prevented progress in the past, we applaud the lawmakers who chose to work through their differences. We now need more of that commitment to fix our entire health care system.

“Today, our leaders proved they understand what Americans have known for years: the cost of doing nothing is just too great.”

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 34.5 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: February 4, 2009
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New Law Promotes Equality in the Workplace

AARP CITES ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ AS PRESIDENT SIGNS LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT AFTER CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL

Washington, DC – AARP praised President Obama and Congress for their expeditious handling of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, calling the legislation an “important breakthrough” in the fight against discrimination.

The bill was signed into law on January 29, 2009 by the President in the first signing ceremony of his Administration. With bipartisan cooperation, the new Congress demonstrated its resolve to protect against discrimination in the workplace, advancing the legislation within the past three weeks.

AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond thanked the President and Congress for their swift handling of the bill, calling it an “important breakthrough in the fight against discrimination, not only for women but for older and disabled workers as well.”

“The Ledbetter Act sets a standard for the cause of equality in the workplace,” LeaMond added.

Even though the Ledbetter case addresses sex discrimination, the legislation also applies to cases involving claims under federal age discrimination and disability discrimination laws.

The bill was drafted after what AARP has called “misguided reasoning” in the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. decision which involved a long-time employee who had been paid much less than her male colleagues. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that a 180 day filing limit for discrimination began with her first discriminatory paycheck, rather than starting after each discriminatory payment.

The new law allows workers to file suit up to 180 days after any paycheck that they believe is discriminatory.

AARP argued that the law was needed to appropriately reflect workplace realities in providing proper redress to victims of discrimination.

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 34.5 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.

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Added: February 2, 2009
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My Journals (60)