AARP Overnight Survey: Independents More in Favor of Health Reform
All parties agree, health reform must be a priority this year

WASHINGTON—Independents 45-plus felt the President’s speech last night addressed some of their questions by a three-to-one margin according to overnight polling released by AARP today. The same survey found that a majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents all agreed reform must be a priority for this year.

In a national survey of Americans over 45, AARP found that many independents had concerns about health reform coming into last night’s speech (77 percent), but most (72 percent) felt that some of their concerns were addressed by the President’s speech. Further, a clear majority of independents considered themselves “more supportive of the proposals being talked about related to health care” after the speech was over (63 percent).

“What we saw in this survey was something we’ve seen for decades: that once you explain why we need reform people understand its importance,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President. “Last night’s speech wasn’t as much of a ‘game changer’ as it was a volume softener. Older Americans across the political spectrum continue to agree that reform must be accomplished this year – we are hopeful that momentum carries us to reform that AARP can support.”

When asked if after watching the health reform address people felt that reform should be a priority for our leaders to address this year, 70 percent of Independents, 95 percent of Democrats and a majority of Republicans – 56 percent – agreed it should.

LeaMond added, “Illness does not ask who you voted for in the last election before the costs associated with getting sick decimate your family. This survey finds that Americans – from all political walks of life – are worried about our current system and want reform. And AARP is going to fight as it has for more than 50 years until we achieve that reform.”

AARP is fighting for reforms that protect and expand benefits for people in Medicare, prevent discrimination based on age or health, and ensure no one—not an insurance company or a government bureaucrat—can come between you and your doctor. We are working to close the dreaded gap in Medicare drug coverage that forces many to stop taking the medicines that keep them healthy, and ensure that older Americans can buy and keep affordable health coverage.

Woelfel Research Inc. conducted interviews with a random sample of people at least 45 years old who watched the president's address to Congress. The interviews, conducted on September 9, 2009 have a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.3 percent.

A link to the complete survey can be found here: http://www.aarp.org/research/surveys/care/health/hcreform/articles/pres_speech.html.
 

Visit AARP’s “Kernels for Healthcare Reform” and Cast Your Vote

AARP Brings the Health Reform Debate to the State Fair

(St. Paul, MN)  Grab your corn kernels and get ready to cast your vote for why you think the nation needs health reform. AARP invites you to take part in the national health reform debate at the Minnesota State Fair.

Whether it be to lower healthcare costs, make health care more accessible, improve Medicare or lower prescription drug costs, State Fair goers can share their opinion by voting with corn kernels at two different locations at the Fair:

·         On Saturday, Sept. 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., AARP will be in CarouselPark at the Minnesota State Fair with health care reform information for fairgoers and health screenings provided by Walgreen’s

·         Every day of the Fair, visit AARP’s booth in the EducationBuilding, and cast your kernel.

“Minnesotans are very engaged in the current national debate on health reform, and we think it’s important to give people the facts and the opportunity to state their opinion and share their story,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball. 

The State Fair is just one way AARP is reaching out to Minnesotans about this debate.  AARP has been conducting a series of “teletown” hall meetings with its members to discuss health care reform throughout August.  Thousands of members across the state have joined in these conversations to learn more about how the proposals will affect them – and to ask questions about health reform.

“Our health care system costs too much, wastes too much, makes too many mistakes and gives us back too little value for our money,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball.  “AARP wants to see meaningful health reform enacted this year.”

The efforts at the state fair – and the teletown hall meetings  -- are being held in part to help debunk some of the myths about health care reform and clear up misinformation aimed at older Minnesotans.

“There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. These include the notion that health care reform would ration care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball.  “We want to debunk these false statements and have a discussion about the facts.”

Multimillion-Dollar AARP Campaign Busts the Myths of the Health Care Debate

This week, AARP will launch the next phase of its Health Action Now campaign with a multimillion-dollar national advertising and grassroots push to ensure every American has a choice of doctor and dependable, affordable health insurance.  The Association’s paid advertising—available online now—will run nationally on television, locally on radio, in print publications and online.  AARP activists will also be in action in every state to ensure every member of Congress knows the 50-plus community wants action to fix what’s wrong with health care and preserve what’s right.

AARP’s advertising campaign will bust the myths some are spreading to frighten Americans, including false assertions that fixing the health care system will lead to rationed health care, a government takeover or even euthanasia.

“We won’t stand idle when opponents of health care reform attempt to scare or mislead the American people—and older Americans in particular—about what fixing the system really means,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.  “The truth is we need to fix health care, whether it’s ensuring affordable coverage for Americans age 50 to 64 or improving benefits for people in Medicare.  It’s time for the public to get the real facts.”

AARP will combine this effort with grassroots action by millions of volunteers and activists.  AARP members will visit their representatives and senators in their district offices and attend events in support of health care reform.  The Association will also host more than 80 events across the country, including dozens of town hall meetings with legislators and community leaders.

LeaMond added: “The opponents of reform will stop at nothing to derail the process and protect their own vested interests—even if it means misleading older Americans.  We’re here to make sure everyone knows the facts and not the myths.”

One of AARP’s new print ads reads: “Special interest groups are trying to block progress on health care reform using myths and scare tactics.  Like the myth that health care reform will give the government the power to make life-and-death decisions for everyone.  That’s simply false.  The fact is, no one, including the government or your insurance company, will be given power to make life-and-death decisions for anyone regardless of their age.  Those decisions will be made by you, your doctor and your family.”

This round of advertising is scheduled to run through mid-September in national outlets and in select local markets.  Television advertisements will appear on networks including CBS, Fox News Channel, Lifetime and MSNBC, while online ads will appear on web sites including CNN.com and ABCNews.com, as well as social networking sites.

To view the ads or to get more information about AARP’s Health Action Now campaign, please visit www.healthactionnow.org.

AARP The Magazine Sept/Oct issue features an article about the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project.  Check it out below!

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/albert_lea_healthiest_hometown.html

Creating America's Healthiest Hometown   By Nancy Perry Graham, September & October 2009 We set out to add 10,000 years of healthy life to a typical American city

Okay, a town makeover does take a lot of planning—and a team of experts leading the way. That's where Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner, cocreator of the project, comes in. Buettner and his team of scientists have identified regions around the world, dubbed Blue Zones, where people live uncommonly long, healthy lives. (Read about Dan's expedition to the newest Blue Zone—Ikaría, Greece.)

People in Blue Zones share four main traits: they eat a healthy, plant-based diet; live an active lifestyle; have a clear sense of purpose; and develop strong social networks. The goal is to bring these principles to Albert Lea.

The day before the launch, Buettner and his team visited Lou-Rich, a local manufacturing company. They found vending machines stuffed with Doritos and Hostess Fruit Pies and lunch menus offering smothered beef-and-cheese burritos and super chili cheese dogs. Employees also indulged in free sweets on "Donut Wednesdays." Among the Blue Zone team's initial suggestions: add a fruit option along with the doughnuts; include healthy choices in the vending machines; change birthday parties from weekly to monthly; and improve the lunch menus. Buettner asked Lou-Rich CEO Mike Larson, "If our team makes recommendations, would you implement them if they didn't cost a lot?"

"Absolutely," said Larson. " We are a pretty can-do company."

The launch event itself, at Albert Lea High School, had all the excitement of a state fair. Close to 1,300 people crowded into the school's auditorium and gymnasium as cheerleaders and a drum corps kept spirits high. Booths invited folks to sign up for walking clubs, while local librarians encouraged residents to sign the Vitality Pledge and take the Blue Zones "longevity compass" (a test that determines how many years of healthy living you can expect based on your current lifestyle). All participants will take the compass again October 15, when the project concludes.

If we can add two years of life to 5,000 participants, we will have added 10,000 years of life to Albert Lea. If we fall short and add only 5,000 years—well, we can live with that.

What motivates people to participate? Vergie Asper, 63, wants to "get reacquainted with friends and neighbors" after teaching outside the city for 21 years. Alice "Pot Roast" Petersen, 71, gets all the socializing she needs as part of a bowling league that calls itself the Hot Dishes. But a ruptured aortic aneurysm last February scared her into being more proactive about her health.

And guess what? Albert Lea's young people are digging the project as much as their parents: Tom and Tim Furland (15 and 13, respectively) are ready to spend less time with Big Macs and Xboxes and more with strawberries and in-line skating. The benefits more than justify any sacrifices. Says dad Bob, 46, who coaches his sons' soccer teams: "The kids and I were saying how nice it'd be if one day I could coach their kids, too."

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/albert_lea_healthiest_hometown.html

There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.

All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.

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.

The following are some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong.

Myth: Health care reform is socialized medicine.

Fact: Health care reform will preserve the employer-based health care system, meaning an estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their coverage through their employers.

Fact: For people buying coverage for themselves, there would be a range of private health plans to choose from. Also, the so-called "public plan" option would seek to give American consumers another choice if they can't find affordable, quality coverage in the private insurance market. The goal of the "public plan" is to give consumers the best value for their money and force greater competition among insurance plans for our business.

Fact: Every proposal that Congress is considering would allow people to choose their own doctors and hospitals.

Health care reform isn't about a government takeover. It's about guaranteeing all Americans a choice of health care plans they can afford.

Myth: Health care reform means rationed care.

Fact: None of the health reform proposals being considered would stand between individuals and their doctors or prevent any American from choosing the best possible care.

Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life or death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by an individual, their doctor and their family.

Fact: Health care reform will help ensure doctors are paid fairly so they will continue to treat Medicare patients.

Health reform isn't about rationing; it's about giving people the peace of mind of knowing that they will be able to keep their doctors and that they will always have a choice of affordable health plans.

Myth: Health care reform will hurt Medicare.

Fact: None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.

Fact: Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole" so they can get better afford the drugs they need.

Fact: Health care reform will protect seniors' access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier.

Fact: Health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.

Fact: Rather than weaken Medicare, health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.

For people in Medicare, health care reform is about lowering prescription drug costs for people in the "doughnut hole", keeping the doctor of your choice, improving the quality of care, and eliminating billions in waste that is causing poor care and medical errors.

Myth: Health care reform is too expensive – we can't afford it.

Fact: The President and Congress have committed to producing legislation that will be paid for so it won't saddle our children and grandchildren with debt.

Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, families with Medicare or employer-based health coverage will likely see their premiums nearly double again in the next seven years.

Fact: If we do nothing to fix health care, the share of your income spent on health care will nearly double in the next seven years.

When one in three Americans say someone in their family skipped pills, postponed or cut back on needed medical care due to the cost; when countless bankruptcies are related to medical expenses; when the number of uninsured approaches 50 million; when government spending on health programs rises so rapidly that it jeopardizes other priorities; and when employers struggle to pay for the costs of health care, the fact is, we can't afford not to fix health care.

Myth: Health care reform means the government can make life-and-death decisions for you.

Fact: Health care reform will NOT give the government the power to make life-and-death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by individuals, their doctor and their family.

Fact: No one, including the government or your insurance company, will be given power to make life-and-death decisions for you.

Health care reform is not about putting the government in charge of difficult end of life decisions. It's about giving individuals and families the option to talk with their doctors in advance about difficult choices every family faces when loved ones near the end of their lives.

AARP Advocates from Minnesota Converge on Capitol Hill,

Push for “Health Action Now”

Before Congress heads home for its August recess, AARP members are going to Washington to make their case for health care reform.  As part of its ‘Health Action Now’ campaign, AARP advocates and volunteers from Minnesota and across the country will converge on Capitol Hill on Thursday, July 30 to push for health care reform in face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress and staff. 

WHAT:        AARP “Health Action Now on the Hill” pushes for health care reform 

WHO:           AARP advocates and volunteers from Minnesota meet with Members of Congress

WHEN:         Thursday, July 30, 2009

AARP Advocacy Director Heidi Holste last week attended a private bill signing in the Governor’s office for Senate File 758, legislation to reform and streamline the Vulnerable Adults Act.

The bill will enhance efforts to protect some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly from financial exploitation.

Too often, elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans are victims of abuse – both physical and financial.  Abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults is an unacceptable reality in communities throughout our state.  Experts estimate that as many as 80 percent of these crimes are left unreported. We must raise awareness of these crimes and learn how to spot abuse and stop it.

AARP is part of a broad group of stakeholders, including the ElderCare Rights Alliance, the Seniors and Workers Coalition and others, who stood behind this effort. 

Click here to watch our volunteers on YouTube!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q9HcYsQnoU

Registration is now available  . . .  

For the fifth Transform 2010 Boomers Mean Business Forum

Promoting Economic Security in Uncertain Times

WHEN: Fri day, June 26, 2009

TIME: 8:30 a.m. to noon

LOCATION: Elmer L.AndersenBuilding , 540 Cedar Street , St. Paul, MN

This forum will explore and examine the impact of recent economic changes along with increased longevity on financial security for later life.  How will this change play out in the marketplace and workplace, and what role does healthcare coverage play in financial security? What is the impact on the most at-risk segments of the population (i.e., the low-income, women, minorities, and rural areas)?

REGISTRATION

Registration is free but seating is limited.  Click here to register for this forum event online.  (Or go to http://survey.dhs.state.mn.us/surveylogin.asp?k=124405885768) 

Regrettably we are unable to offer this forum via video conference.  This forum will be recorded. A DVD copy can be purchased for $20 via the Transform 2010 Forum Online Order website. Please note, DVDs are generally available 6 to 8 weeks following the date of the event.

For more information about this upcoming Boomers Mean Business Forums or Transform 2010, email Transform.2010@state.mn.us, or call 651-431-2500, or check our website after June 12, 2009—http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/2010

This Transform 2010 event is co-sponsored by

AARP

Minnesota Financial Fitness Network (formerly Minnesota Saves Network)

And Transform 2010 partners

Minnesota Board on Aging  

Minnesota Department of Health

http://www.minnpost.com/community_voices/2009/06/17/9537/attention_mn_delegation_six_steps_congress_should_take_to_fix_health_care

Minnpost recently published this health reform oped by AARP State Director Michele Kimball.