Former Paducah Nurse leveraging power of social networking on Facebook and blogging with photos while delivering health reform message to Congress

Dwight D. Eisenhower was President the last time Melba Ray traveled to Washington D.C. Now, 50 years later and at age 67, the retired nurse and educator is packing her bags to deliver a message to members of Congress. An active citizen advocate, Ray is returning to D.C. with a new mission – a prescription for health care reform. But, this time, she’s packing her laptop and digital camera.

Ms. Ray will leverage the power of social networking sites to post reports from Capitol Hill on Facebook and AARP’s Online community pages . Ray was selected from hundreds of applicants to be one of 100 AARP volunteer advocates going to Capitol Hill pushing for health action now. She hopes to meet with Kentucky’s members of Congress and make the case for comprehensive health reform and closing Medicare’s prescription drug benefit gap –the “doughnut hole”.

“I can’t believe I'm going back to D.C.! I've been wanting to ever since my senior class went there in the spring of '59. I’ve been wishing for a chance to take that trip over again, it’s like the movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” said Ray. Across the country, AARP has organized hundreds of members like Ray for a Lobby Day in support of the Association’s call for health reform.

Ms. Ray will be blogging and posting photos as her return trip to Washington unfolds so friends, family and the public can follow her on her dream come true. In 1959, she and her classmates worked four years of school bake-sales, raffles, and long nights in the concession stand at all the ballgames to pay for their 1959 Senior Graduating Class trip.

She arrives in Washington on Tuesday, July 28th, and while she may not meet with President Obama, she is visiting Kentucky’s congressional delegation asking for their support of health care reform. “I’ve been blessed with a good pension and health care plan, but too many of my friends on Medicare are struggling to pay for their prescription drugs. I know thing are going to get worse unless congress and the President find common sense solutions,” said Ray.

Follow Melba in Washington D.C. on

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melba.ray ; and 

here on AARP’s Online Community blog: http://www.aarp.org/community/melbarray

AARP Reacts to Senate Decision to Put Off Health Care Reform Vote

Washington – AARP reacted to the Senate’s decision to put off voting on health care reform legislation until after the August recess. A statement from AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond follows:

“AARP is disappointed in the failure to reach agreement on passing comprehensive health care reform until after the August recess. The millions of people impacted by high drug costs and those that can’t get adequate health insurance because of age or a pre-existing condition need help now. An August of waiting will not lower costs, increase access or improve quality. Few understand the enormous challenge of this task better than AARP. We have been working to reform health care for more than 50 years and we know this is difficult. But Congress needs to get this done. American families simply cannot afford Washington’s stalemate any longer.”

Get the facts on health reform and get involved at www.healthactionnow.org

AARP Barren Co. Chapter Hosting Community Meeting on Health Reform

Public invited to attend event offering information and facts on the national health care reform debate

AARP Barren Co. Chapter #4219 is opening its doors to the public for a health reform presentation and discussion. The public is invited to attend and learn why health reform is important to everyone in Kentucky.

• Who – AARP Barren Co. Chapter members, special guests and general public
• What –An open community presentation and discussion on the national health care reform debate.
  
• Where – Lera B. Mitchell Club House at 1214 S. Green Street, Glasgow KY 42142
  
• When – Monday, July 27, 2009 • 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CDT)
  
• Why – Barren Co. and surrounding county residents are invited to join in the discussion on health care reform. Millions of Americans don’t have access to affordable health care and millions more are just one medical emergency away from bankruptcy and financial ruin. With so many people facing the prospect of having their health care premiums double over the next 10 years – or even losing their coverage altogether – AARP Kentucky is mobilizing residents to contact their federal lawmakers.

To get involved visit www.healthactionnow.org or to request a presentation, go to www.aarp.org/ky or call AARP KY at 1-866-295-7275, send email to kyaarp@aarp.org

AARP Jenny Wiley Chapter Hosting Community Meeting on Health  Reform

Public event offers facts on national health reform debate

AARP Jenny Wiley Chapter #3528 is opening its doors to the public for a community health reform presentation and discussion. The free event hopes to help better inform the public and learn why health reform now is important to everyone in Kentucky.

• Who – AARP Jenny Wiley Chapter members, special guests and general public
• What – Community presentation and discussion on national health reform debate.
• Where – First Presbyterian Church •1430 N Lake Drive in Prestonsburg
• When – Tuesday, July 21, 2009 • 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Why – Floyd and surrounding county residents are invited to join in the discussion on health care reform. Millions of Americans don’t have access to affordable health care and millions more are just one medical emergency away from bankruptcy and financial ruin. With so many people facing the prospect of having their health care premiums double over the next 10 years – or even losing their coverage altogether – AARP Kentucky is reaching out to educate and mobilize residents to contact their federal lawmakers in support of health reform.

Click here to read the Floyd County Times in Prestonsburg.

To get involved visit www.healthactionnow.org or to request a presentation, go to www.aarp.org/ky or call AARP KY at 1-866-295-7275, send email to kyaarp@aarp.org

HELP Committee Bill Marks Critical Step Toward Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON—AARP CEO Barry Rand released this statement following the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee’s passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act:

“Today’s vote brings us one big step closer to comprehensive health care reform that ensures every American has a choice of quality, affordable coverage. We are proud of the committee’s leadership on this issue and their commitment to passing legislation this year, but we remain concerned with some of the bill’s specifics.

“The bill passed today includes several smart provisions that will help Americans get affordable health care. By strictly limiting insurers’ discriminatory practices, the bill ensures Americans can purchase affordable health coverage, regardless of age or health status. It also helps struggling middle-class families by limiting premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, providing true relief from rising health costs.

“The bill’s long-term care provisions will put more people on track to get the health and long-term care services and supports they need throughout their lives and take some of the burden off of struggling Medicaid programs. The bill also takes needed steps to strengthen the health care workforce and prepare it to meet the needs of an aging population, particularly in the critical fields of primary care and nursing.

“However, we remain concerned about the bill’s unreasonable exclusivity period for brand name biologic drugs, which will keep less costly generic versions from the people who need them and result in billions of dollars of profit for the brand name drug industry.

“AARP thanks Chairman Kennedy, Senator Dodd and their colleagues for their strong commitment to health care reform. With their help, America is closer to finally achieving the goal of quality, affordable health care for all.”

Take action to make affordable health care a reality for all Americans at www.healthactionnow.org

Health Care Reform Legislation Unveiled by U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON—AARP CEO Barry Rand released the following statement following the introduction of health care reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives from Chairmen Charles Rangel, Henry Waxman and George Miller.

“We are pleased by the House TriCommittee’s health care reform bill, which makes important strides towards making sure that every American has access to affordable, quality health care choices.

“Those without access to employer sponsored plans face serious roadblocks that block affordable insurance choices based on their age and health status. Those of our members in Medicare pay close to 30% of their incomes on out-of-pocket expenses and they deserve relief, especially in the prescription drug doughnut hole, where they get no benefit while paying premiums.

“This bill would make great strides for all of our members and their families.

“It would help abolish those insurance market practices that keep people on the outside looking in based only on their age and health status. It recognizes that expanding coverage means little if a person can’t afford it, providing meaningful relief to those with modest incomes and capping out-of-pocket expenses for plans in the Exchange.

“We look forward to working with Chairmen Rangel, Waxman and Miller, as well as their colleagues in both parties and both chambers of Congress to build on current momentum and enact comprehensive health care reform in 2009.”

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities and getting involved, visit http://www.healthactionnow.org.

Free AARP Webinar Provides In’s and Outs of Applying for Federal Jobs

This free webinar, presented by AARP and the Partnership for Public Service, is set for Tuesday, July 14, 2–3 p.m. EDT. AARP is offering a free online webinar to help those out of work land jobs with the federal government.

Across the country the federal government hired more than 130,000 new employees in 2008. According to AARP, federal agencies expect to hire even more workers over the next year to fill jobs such as Social Security claims examiner and customer service representative, customs officer, census taker, IRS agent, and others.

According to AARP Kentucky’s Patrice Blanchard, “What’s exciting about this webinar is that it is so timely. We know that the recession has hit those ages 50 - 64 especially hard. For workers 45 to 54, the unemployment rate hovered at about 5.5 percent as nearly 2 million were out of work at the end of 2008. And for ages 55 to 64, nearly 4.9 percent (about 1.1 million) were unemployed and looking for work.” AARP Kentucky has more information for the 50-plus job seeker at www.aarp.org/kyjobs.

This free webinar, presented by AARP and the Partnership for Public Service, is set for Tuesday, July 14, 2–3 p.m. EDT. It will help workers of all ages understand the ins and outs of the federal hiring process. Federal career coach Lily Whiteman, author of “How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job,” will share tips on how to find job vacancies in your area, prepare your résumé, and present your experience so that your federal job application gets results.

Registration is required and for more details on the AARP webinar, visit:
www.aarp.org/realrelief

Health Reform on Fast Track as Americans Struggle to Pay for Health Care

"Inside E Street" looks at the high cost and inaccessibility of health care. We talk with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and ask him about the progress that Congress is making to solve the growing problem.
Will a health-care reform bill pass this year? What does the bill look like now and what effect would it have on Americans?

Watch the full story online at: http://www.aarp.org/aarp/broadcast/Health_Care_Reform_on_the_Fast_Track/

Get local listings for "Inside E Street"  available on Comcast and Verizon FiOS. 

Check your local provider for details at:

http://www.aarp.org/aarp/broadcast/estreet_archives/articles/watch_inside_e_street.html

 General Assembly Closes, More Budget Cuts to Come

Heatlh Action Now Website Has Answers and Real Stories

Confused about health reform? Get real stories, clear facts and action steps on how you can get involved - today.

 http://www.healthactionnow.org/

'Health Action Now' Gets New Look, Feel
Get the full picture on AARP's health care campaign through AARP's redesigned website. Read and watch real-life stories related to our national discussion on health reform this year. See, listen and hear what Americans are saying and actions people are taking.