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United States
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AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released the following statement on the Association’s support of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act provisions included in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee’s health reform bill:
“Each year, more American families struggle with the staggering cost of long-term care. The long-term care provisions in the HELP bill taken from Chairman Kennedy’s CLASS Act make up an important part of reforming our broken health care system and putting more people on track to get the health and long-term care they need throughout their lives. At the same time, these important provisions could take some of the burden off of struggling Medicaid programs.
“Combined with private insurance, personal savings, other public programs and care from friends and loved ones, the CLASS Act provisions will help offer peace of mind to American families and help them pay for the services and supports they need to live independently.
“We look forward to working with Chairman Kennedy and his colleagues to include the HELP committee CLASS Act provisions in any final comprehensive health care reform legislation this year.”
Today, AARP sent a letter to members of the Senate HELP Committee urging them to support the CLASS Act provisions as a part of comprehensive health care reform.
For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.healthactionnow.org.
Added: July 7, 2009
Views: 108 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 108 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Need Help Paying for Groceries?
Learn more about SNAP and find out if you qualify today.
AARP believes that no one – of any age – should go hungry. Yet the current economic downturn is forcing many older people to make the devastating choice to either pay for their medications or their groceries.
Fortunately, there are programs that can help.
There are an estimated 3.6 million people aged 65+ who live in poverty in the United States, according to a 2007 Census Bureau report, and millions of others who may qualify for Federal assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), which can alleviate much of the worry and anxiety associated with how to pay for groceries each month.
The Michigan Recovery & Reinvestment Act provided a 13.6% increase in monthly SNAP benefits for recipients, or roughly $80 per family per month. This additional funding will not only help those struggling during these tough economic times. It's estimated that for every five dollars spent through SNAP, $9.20 of local economic activity is generated.
For older adults with limited incomes, especially those who live alone; food assistance programs can help improve overall health. The healthier people are, the more likely they will be able to take care of their daily needs and live independently.
Unfortunately, only 34% of eligible older Americans receive food assistance—leaving millions of dollars untouched. The most common reason people do not receive SNAP benefits is that they don’t realize they may be eligible.
Generally, eligibility for SNAP depends upon the financial situation of all members of the household group. All persons who live together and purchase and prepare food together are considered to be members of the same group. Your family must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive SNAP. To determine if you have potential income eligibility for SNAP, a pre-screening tool Michigan Assistance and Referral Service (MARS) is available. For more information about SNAP visit the Michigan Department of Human Services Web site at www.michigan.gov/dhs-food.
The old routine of standing in the grocery store line while people watch recipients tear food stamp coupons from a book is no more. Once a person’s application is approved, benefits automatically get loaded on a debit-style card which is accepted at most grocery stores and there are no hidden fees.
SNAP can be a life changing value for individuals, families and communities, but only if the millions of qualified individuals apply for the benefit.
In these tough economic times, AARP remains staunchly committed to connecting those in need with information and access to programs, which offer real relief and assistance in navigating their basic life needs. We encourage all older Americans and those care for them to learn more about SNAP and apply if they’re eligible.
See if you or a loved one qualifies. Everyone has the opportunity to eat right, even when money is tight.
Find more information about how to apply for SNAP and receive information about other public benefits via AARP’s Benefits QuickLINK Web site. http://www.aarp.org/snap
Added: July 1, 2009
Views: 169 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 169 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Ciao, Italia!
AARP Global Network
A UNIQUE OFFER FOR AARP MEMBERS
from 50&Piu
...to visit one of the
world’s most historic and dynamic cites --Rome and to
participate in a mini-Olympic-like event in the beautiful beach
resort town of Marina di Ginosa located in the province of Puglia
near the Ionian Sea in southern Italy.
This 9 days and 8 nights package
is being offered by 50&Piu on a limited basis to AARP members on
a first-come-first serve basis.
Experience unique 4-star B&B
accommodations, historic settings, authentic Italian cuisine, and an
opportunity to engage in friendly sporting competition with members
from other Network member organizations like CARP from Canada,
DaneAge Association from Denmark, 50&Piu from Italy, and AARP
from the U.S.
Click Here to Learn More:
Click Here to Register:
Event Date
September 20 - 28, 2009
Register Before
July 20, 2009
• Double Occupancy
€880 per person
(approx. $1,250)
• Single Occupancy
€1,100 per person
(approx. $1,560)
* Package does NOT include
round-trip airfare from US to Rome, Italy.
Added: June 30, 2009
Views: 185 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 185 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP President: House Bill Makes “Substantial Progress” Toward Health Care Reform
AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen recently testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means during its hearing on “Health Reform in the 21st Century.” In her remarks, Hansen discussed the health care needs of older Americans, including affordable coverage for 50- to 64-year-olds and prescription drugs for people in Medicare. Excerpts from Hansen’s statement follow:
“Enacting legislation to give all Americans quality, affordable health coverage options is AARP’s top priority this year.
“The draft Tri-Committee legislation marks substantial progress toward this goal.
“Today I am proud to represent nearly 40 million members of AARP—half over age 65 and therefore in Medicare, and half under 65.
“Both age groups face serious problems in today’s health care system, and AARP commends the Tri-Committee for including critical reforms in its draft that will help AARP members of all ages.”
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“To make insurance affordable for Americans age 50-64, AARP believes these individuals should be charged no more than twice what someone under 50 is required to pay for quality health coverage. Why?
“Because older may mean wiser but it doesn’t mean richer. In fact, the income of uninsured adults age 18-24 is a little over $28,000 and for those 50-64 it is $30,000.”
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“One of the greatest difficulties faced by our older members is the extraordinary out-of-pocket cost of health care. In fact, Medicare beneficiaries spend 30 percent of their income on health care costs and they face costs that are six times costs faced by those of us with employer-sponsored coverage. This is a particularly stark reality for the nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries who have incomes of less than $22,000 per year.
“Prescription drugs are, of course, a big piece of Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket expenses, which is why AARP has made closing the doughnut hole and improving low income assistance programs top priorities in health care reform. The Tri-Committee has lead the way on both of these vital issues, including the closure of the doughnut hole as well as important improvements to Medicare low-income supports in its draft legislation….”
To receive a complete copy of Hansen’s testimony, please contact AARP Media Relations at 202-434-2560.
Added: June 25, 2009
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Views: 122 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
This set of State Health Care Briefs provides a one-page overview of facts on health care data for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Information is provided about each state’s older population, the uninsured, Medicare beneficiaries including those who fall into the “doughnut hole,” hospital re-admissions among Medicare beneficiaries, the distribution of Medicaid long-term care funds, and prescription drug spending.
http://www.aarp.org/research/health/carefinancing/state_hcb_09.html
Added: June 23, 2009
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Views: 126 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP Launches Money-Saving Prescription Drug Resource
Online tool helps people avoid dreaded “doughnut hole”
LANSING, MI -- By the end of this summer, more than one million older Americans will have fallen into the “doughnut hole”—a coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug program that leaves individuals on the hook for all of their own drug costs while still paying premiums. AARP is launching a new online resource to help older Americans avoid this dreaded coverage gap.
The AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator, available at www.aarp.org/doughnuthole, guides visitors through their prescription drug options using localized information about their plans and prescriptions to determine if or when they will fall into the coverage gap. In about 15 minutes, visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.
“Twenty-one percent of Michigan residents in Medicare fall into the gap each year, and millions more nervously wonder if they might fall in,” said Steve Gools, state director for AARP Michigan. “For the first time, people in Medicare have a simple way to learn if they’ll fall into the doughnut hole and find ways to avoid it by switching to safe, less expensive medications.”
As a part of its Health Action Now campaign, AARP is calling on Congress to close the doughnut hole and lower prescription drug prices so that no one has to go without the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. Yesterday, AARP joined President Obama to endorse an agreement by Senate leaders and the pharmaceutical industry that would reduce brand name drug costs for most people who fall into the doughnut hole by half. Research has shown people cut back on their prescription drugs when their costs become unaffordable, which can lead to more serious health conditions and larger health care bills.
Gools added: “Saving money on prescription drugs is going to mean pressing hard in Washington to close the doughnut hole; yesterday we were proud to help announce significant progress toward that goal. In the meantime, we also want to give Americans the tools they need to cut their drug costs and stay out of the gap in the first place. We encourage every person in Medicare to take a few minutes to find the right drugs at the lowest prices.”
The calculator is powered by DestinationRx as part of a special arrangement between AARP and Medicare. The data is the same used by the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, giving users the most accurate and up-to-date drug pricing information available.
Added: June 23, 2009
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Views: 116 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP Thanks President, Senate Leaders for Helping to Close the “Doughnut Hole”
CEO Rand: Americans “will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life”
This morning, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand delivered the following remarks at the White House announcement of a new agreement to substantially fill the Medicare Part D coverage gap:
“Thank you Mr. President. AARP is proud to stand with you and Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd to announce that the gap in Medicare’s drug coverage, known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ will be substantially filled for millions of middle income Americans as part of health reform.
“I want to applaud Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd, who continue to be champions for this issue and have always fought for people struggling to make ends meet. We are honored to stand with you today.
“Senator Baucus, your strong leadership of the Senate Finance Committee coupled with your creativity is what led to the development of this unique solution. We also support your Finance Committee’s process and look forward with optimism to its next steps.
“Bottom line: without you, Chairman Baucus, we certainly would not be here today.
“When the President issued his clarion call for all parties to come together and address the issues of health care reform, AARP, representing over 40 million members, was proud to be one of the first to step forward.
“Today’s announcement will mean that struggling Americans who have been looking for help in their pocketbooks just to stay healthy, and who say that one of their single largest drivers of health care costs is prescription drugs—Americans in Medicare’s ‘doughnut hole’—will have their brand-name drug costs cut in half. That’s a 50 percent reduction in drug costs.
“Too many Americans who fall into the coverage gap stop taking their medications because they simply cannot afford them. They will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life.
“Mr. President, every American who is burdened by the high cost of health care or has inadequate access to our health care system—every business that is fighting to be competitive and save American jobs knows that health care reform cannot wait.
“This is an early win for reform and a major step forward. It is a signal the process is working and will work. But AARP is not done. We will continue to work with you, Mr. President, and the House and the Senate to protect the people who rely on Medicare, to further lower drug costs, and to have guaranteed access to coverage for all Americans.
“Together, we will complete the mission for comprehensive health care reform. Thank you for your leadership on this issue, Mr. President.”
For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.
Added: June 22, 2009
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Views: 93 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP: Shaheen-Collins Bill Will Keep Americans Healthier and Out of the Hospital
Legislation adds follow-up care benefit for people in Medicare
AARP today proudly endorsed the bipartisan “Medicare Transitional Care Act,” being introduced this week by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME). This critical legislation adds a follow-up care benefit to Medicare to ensure that people who leave the hospital get the care they need to stay healthy and avoid being readmitted. Such a benefit can help save some of the estimated $17 billion Medicare spends each year on preventable hospital readmissions.
“It’s unacceptable that 20 percent of people in Medicare who visit the hospital will return within a month, often because they aren’t getting the follow-up care they need,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “We’re sending home too many people with a handful of prescriptions and no support. Something as simple as help to set up a medication schedule could be the difference between getting healthy or winding up back in a hospital bed.”
AARP has urged lawmakers to ensure that comprehensive health care reform includes a Medicare follow-up care benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay, coordinate their health care needs and prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions. The legislation being introduced this week by Sens. Shaheen and Collins marks an important step toward a stronger, higher quality health care system.
The “Medicare Transitional Care Act” would create a new Medicare benefit to coordinate care during a person’s transition from a hospital to their home or other care settings. With help from a team of nurses, doctors and other professionals, patients and their caregivers would receive critical follow-up care, like instructions for taking their medications, a medical professional to attend follow-up appointments with their doctors, referrals for care, and help to find the equipment and services they may need.
LeaMond added: “We’re proud to support this crucial bipartisan legislation, and we look forward to working with Senators Shaheen and Collins to enact this benefit as a part of comprehensive health care reform. We simply cannot afford to keep wasting our health care dollars on preventable readmissions. This bill is a win-win that should keep people healthier and save money.”
AARP has also endorsed a bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 2773, sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Charles Boustany (R-LA).
Added: June 17, 2009
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Views: 87 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Stabenow, Kerry, Nelson Push to Address 'Doughnut Hole' During Health Reform
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2009
CONTACT: Jim Dau, AARP DC Press Office, 202-224-4159
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), all members of the Finance Committee, today called on Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to protect seniors from skyrocketing out-of-pocket prescription drug costs as part of the committee’s health reform initiative.
Current gaps in Medicare’s prescription drug program force 3.4 million seniors to pay more in out-of-pocket expenses than those with employer-provided health care coverage.
“The doughnut hole invited disaster from the day the Republicans conceived it and to this day it continues to create pain for our seniors,” said Sen. Kerry. “Now is our chance to close the gap. If we don’t, the most well-intentioned health reform will leave them with worse drug coverage than anyone in the system.”
“Seniors in Michigan and around the country continue to fall into Medicare’s donut hole- a gap in coverage that has them scrambling to pay thousands of dollars for prescriptions they thought would be covered,” said Sen. Stabenow. “As we continue to work on a health care reform package in the Finance Committee, it is time we also take the necessary steps to give seniors the prescription drug benefit they deserve.”
“Look, seniors have to pay premiums for their Medicare prescription drugs. But they still don’t get full coverage,” said Sen. Nelson. “So, while we’re working on a program to fix the broader health-care system, we ought to include a fix for the so-called Medicare donut hole. It makes sense – and, it’s the right thing to do for seniors.”
The full text of the senators’ letter is below:
June 16, 2009
The Honorable Max Baucus The Honorable Chuck Grassley
Chairman Ranking Member
Senate Finance Committee Senate Finance Committee
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley:
We are writing to express our support for addressing the gap in Medicare’s Part D prescription benefit, better known as the “doughnut hole,” in the upcoming health care reform package.
Today, Medicare beneficiaries currently face out-of-pocket costs that are, on average, six times the costs incurred by those with employer-sponsored coverage. Out-of-pocket expenses are even higher for beneficiaries who are among the 3.4 million (and growing) Americans who fall into Part D’s “doughnut hole” each year.
Prescription drugs play a vital role in managing or curing diseases and improving the quality of life for people of all ages. Unfortunately, the “doughnut hole” results in such high costs that too many of our seniors cannot afford their prescription drugs. Currently, 26 percent of Part D beneficiaries fall into the “doughnut hole” but only 5% reach the catastrophic threshold. Those stuck in the “doughnut hole” are required to continue to pay their Part D premiums.
The “doughnut hole” is getting worse each year because the gap is tied to health care costs which increase at a much higher rate than inflation or other indexes. In fact, costs for people in the “doughnut hole” are projected to more than double from $2,850 in 2006 to over $6,000 in 2016. This situation is untenable and leaves many of our seniors without a meaningful prescription drug benefit.
Eliminating the “doughnut hole” in Part D could save Medicare beneficiaries thousands of dollars in drug costs and increase their quality of life by ensuring they can afford their medications. Since the cost of closing the “doughnut hole” grows every year, it is essential that we begin to rectify this situation as soon as possible. Even if it is not financially practicable to close the “doughnut hole” in a single action, there are several concrete and pragmatic ways to begin to eliminate it.
One option is to reduce the catastrophic limit, or the top end of the “doughnut hole.” This would give more immediate relief to those with catastrophic needs and over time the “doughnut hole” would close entirely. The catastrophic limit could be reduced by linking it to the Consumer Price Index, freezing it at its current level, or by gradually reducing it by a certain percentage each year.
We cannot leave seniors in an ever-worsening situation as we act to fix the other ills of our current health care system. We are committed to closing the “doughnut hole” as a part of health care reform, and we look forward to working closely with you to identify the best way to do so and to include it in the final health care reform package.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
John F. Kerry Debbie Stabenow
Bill Nelson
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Added: June 16, 2009
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Views: 138 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Unique Safety Program For Mature Drivers Determines and Adjusts How Well Driver and Personal Vehicle Work Together
The number of older drivers is growing. The U.S. Census Bureau has determined that by 2030, one in five drivers will be age 65 or older, which means there will be more than 30 million older drivers on our roads.
With the goal of keeping seniors safe on the roads, older driver experts are conducting a safety program in a variety of locations across the state this summer designed to help seniors find out how the “fit” of their personal vehicle affects their driving. Older adult drivers will line up their vehicles to take part in CarFit, an innovative national program designed to give a quick comprehensive check on how well a senior driver and their vehicle work together. The event also provides motorists with community traffic safety resources that can help keep them driving safely longer.
To find out where specific workshops will be offered, visit: http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/MichiganAARPHappeningsGroup
“As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even size and height may make us less comfortable and reduce our control behind the wheel,” Karen Kafantaris, Associate State Director for Community Service for AARP Michigan, said. “CarFit gives older adults the tools to help them stay on today’s roads safely and to stay connected to their communities when they must limit or stop driving.”
At the CarFit event, trained volunteers will walk drivers through a 12-point checklist. Among the items they will check: Is the person positioned correctly in the driver’s seat? Can the person reach the pedals easily? Does the person know how to adjust mirrors properly or have the flexibility to use the mirrors?
After visiting the trained volunteer professional, the driver with consult with an occupational therapist who, if needed, will discuss ways drivers can maintain and strengthen their driving health. The therapists also provide information to participants to address individual needs related to information about local community resources on exercise, nutrition and other programs to help keep them safe on the roads.
“It is critically important that mature drivers make safety a personal priority,” Kafantaris said. “Driving today is more difficult than ever because of more traffic, bigger vehicles and faster speeds, but older drivers themselves can take measures to ease the stress out on the road.”
To find out where CarFit workshops will be offered near you and to register for these important workshops, contact Andrea Palmer at 1-866-227-7448.
Added: June 9, 2009
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Views: 181 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
