AARP Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for

Health Care Reform this Session

AARP Members Urge Lawmakers to Keep Health Care on the Front Burner

AARP members gathered at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 5 to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to listen to the pulse of Minnesota consumers across the state and pass health care reform legislation this session.

“Too many families in Minnesota are just one health care crisis away from bankruptcy.  Health care costs to individuals, families and businesses go up every year across the state.  Yet, consumers are not getting more for their dollar,” said Joanne Disch, AARP National Board Chair and Director of the Densford International Center for Nursing at the University of Minnesota.  “Consumers want our state leaders to take action on health care this session.”

A recent statewide AARP survey of members aged 50-64 showed that consumers across the state are concerned about their ability to pay for health care in the future, and they want the Legislature to take action.

 -- Nearly eight in ten Minnesota members agree that all residents should have access to quality, affordable, and adequate health care coverage.  A quarter say they are not confident that they will be able to maintain their health care coverage at a cost that is affordable to them over the next five years.

 -- One in seven AARP members in Minnesota say it is difficult to pay their out-of-pocket monthly medical expenses.  Eight in ten of those with health care coverage say it is extremely important for them to maintain this coverage.

 -- Over 75 percent say that expanding coverage for the uninsured, improving quality and reducing medical errors, and improving access to health care should be high or top priorities for state policy makers.  Seven in ten members say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported affordable coverage for all.

The complete survey can be found at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/carefinancing/mn_hcr_08.html

The survey is just one part of AARP’s efforts to engage consumers in the health care debate.  AARP is urging the public to call their state lawmakers through an AARP Health Care Hotline (1-800-480-4397) to share their concerns and views with their elected officials.  Ads are running in several daily papers to engage more Minnesotans in the debate.  And, during personal visits with lawmakers throughout the AARP Lobby Day, AARP volunteer leaders will strongly recommend that Minnesota policymakers and candidates for state office carefully consider the findings in this study and pass health care reform.

“Legislators and the Governor have the opportunity to agree on meaningful health care legislation that will help more Minnesotans get coverage they deserve and can afford,” said AARP State Director Michele Kimball. “Minnesota’s consumers stand clearly behind health care reform.”

AARP members will be delivering these specific messages to lawmakers today:

• Pass health care reform this year. Minnesotans of all ages should have access to health care.
• Consumers need good and accessible information. Our system of health care today is confusing even for the most educated consumers.  Consumers need an accessible and easily-understood information source that allows them to compare health care costs and quality.  Lawmakers should create a consumer education campaign and a single portal for the quality and cost information consumers need to make decisions about their healthcare.
• Make Health Care More Affordable. Too many people have difficulty paying for health care, and too many Minnesota families face bankruptcy as a result of a medical crisis.  AARP supports expansion of eligibility to public health programs and urges the Legislature to help eliminate health care bankruptcies by establishing catastrophic coverage protections and set affordability standards.
• Ensure Fairness for all. Lawmakers should ensure that Minnesotans are not priced out of the insurance market simply based on age.

NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE

Session Begins with Many Promises: Budget Deficit Projections Loom

On Tuesday, February 12, the 2008 Minnesota Legislative Session began, with taxes, transportation and health care at the top of the agenda in both the House and Senate.  House leaders promised to also act quickly on transportation funding and a proposal to increase state sales tax to provide money for the outdoors, the environment and the arts. Lurking in the background, however, is the prospect of a growing state budget deficit, now at $373 million, which could be as high as $800 million when the state's economic forecast is released later this month. Collections of all three of the state's major taxes are running below projections.

Health Care Reform Proposals Released: AARP Advocating for Consumers

Both Governor Pawlenty and key legislators have been working on health care plans that are expected to become legislative proposals later in the session.  AARP staff and volunteers will be advocating on behalf of consumers as this debate continues.  Currently, there are several bipartisan plans which contain pieces that will garner AARP’s strong support.  Governor Pawlenty believes the state should encourage lower costs through the use of electronic medical records, uniform billing, and more aggressive prevention and treatment of chronic conditions. Rep. Tom Huntley, who sites on both the Governor’s health care task force and cochairs the bipartisan legislative task force, has proposed reforming the payment system so that providers are compensated based on the quality -- not the quantity -- of health care given. On March 5, AARP’s Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will hold a lobby day on health care, urging lawmakers to listen to consumers throughout the health care debate.

AARP’s Cell Phone Efforts to Be Heard in Senate Committee

The State Senate’s Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee will soon hear a bill to protect cell phone consumers, brought forth by AARP and the Attorney General’s office.  AARP State President Hubert H. “Skip” Humphrey III will testify on the cell phone bill on Tuesday, February 19, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 123 of the Capitol.   The bill seeks to give Minnesota consumers who use cell phones some protection from excessive contract termination fees and poor service.  The legislation will help ensure that billing practices are fair, calls are charged at the time of connection (not when dialed) and by requiring providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers. Humphrey will share stories from AARP members about bad cell phone service to urge lawmakers to take action for consumers.  

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

AARP Push Adds Older Americans to Economic Stimulus Act of 2008

Congress last week passed an economic stimulus bill that includes relief for older Americans receiving Social Security, and AARP’s advocacy efforts have been widely credited with making the difference.  President Bush signed the measure into law on February 13.  The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will provide a $300 rebate check to any American with $3000 of qualifying income – including Social Security income – in 2007, and up to $600 for individuals who pay income taxes. Rebates would be doubled for married couples filing jointly, and families would receive an additional $300 per child under age 17. It also counts veterans’ disability payments as qualified income, extending rebate eligibility for up to 250,000 disabled veterans.  AARP was able to mobilize grassroots activists in support of including older Americans in the economic stimulus package. In less than a week AARP was directly responsible for nearly a quarter-of-a-million actions directed at Senate offices, notably through e-mail Grassroots Alerts. Those actions included 3,303 contacts to Senator Klobuchar and Senator Coleman, who both voted to include older Americans in the package.  Thank you, AARP members who called and emailed our Senators to urge them to remember older Americans!

AARP Supports Senator Coleman’s Health Literacy Act

AARP recently endorsed the National Health Literacy Act, sponsored by Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Tom Harkin (D-IA).  The bill expands consumers’ ability to obtain, process and disseminate essential health care information to increase health care knowledge and understanding among health care consumers.  The authors want to give all Americans the skills to make informed decisions about their health treatment options and decrease the confusion consumers experience in the current bureaucratic health care system.  The bill creates a Health Literacy Implementation Center to gather and disseminate resources and best practices, coordinate research assist other federal agencies and set national health literacy strategies and goals.

Do-Not-Call Soon to be Permanent

On February 6, Congress passed legislation to make permanent the Do-Not-Call list that protects consumers from telemarketing calls. The bills have been sent to President Bush for his signature. They eliminate the need for consumers to reregister and makes permanent FTC authority to collect telemarketer fees to run the program.  AARP vigorously supported this bipartisan legislation eliminating the five-year expiration of consumers’ telephone numbers from the Do-Not-Call Registry.  In 2003, Minnesota was one of the first states to enact a Do-Not-Call law at the state level, with AARP’s strong urging.  The federal Do Not Call Registry was created soon after.  The new legislation eliminates the need for users to re-register their phone numbers by eliminating the automatic removal of phone numbers from the Do-Not-Call registry.  Once it is signed into law, registrants will remain on the do-not-call list indefinitely until they request removal or if the number becomes no longer valid, becomes disconnected, or gets reassigned.

UPDATE ON DIVIDED WE FAIL 

AARP and Divided We Fail Partners Endorse Prevention Legislation

AARP, Business Roundtable, SEIU and NFIB – which collectively represent more than 53 million Americans and together make up Divided We Fail – recently announced their support for federal legislation that would give businesses a powerful new incentive to provide customized tools that help employees better manage their own health and wellness.   The “Healthy Workforce Act,” introduced by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), would give a tax credit of up to 50 percent to businesses that offer their employees qualified, comprehensive wellness programs that include health awareness and education; behavioral change – including counseling, seminars or self-help materials;  supportive environment– including health premium reductions or daytime exercise options; and employee engagement– to tailor the program to the needs of the company’s workforce.  “America’s medical system is focused on treating disease rather than maintaining health,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. “As a nation, we can do better. Twenty-first century health care should mean getting the best care before we ever get sick. Prevention is the best cure.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Listen to Consumers on Health Care!  AARP to Lobby Lawmakers on March 5

The 80+ volunteers from around the state who serve as members of the Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will gather at the State Capitol on March 5 to lobby state lawmakers on health care issues.  Send an email to apope@aarp.org or call Paro at 1-866-554-5381 if you are interested in joining the GREAT team and being part of Lobby Day.

Send us an email at  mnaarp@aarp.org or call 1-866-554-5381 to sign up for an emailed version of this newsletter.

NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE

AARP Prepares to Focus on Health Care During 2008 Session

On February 12, the Legislature will begin the 2008 session, and AARP will be urging lawmakers to make health care reform a high priority.  Although Minnesota has traditionally prided itself on being the healthiest state with the fewest uninsured, we are slipping in national rankings as our uninsured rates rise. Anywhere from one in seven to one in nine residents are currently uninsured.  Many more Minnesotans are “underinsured” – meaning they have insurance, but can’t afford the high deductibles or procedures or drugs not covered under their plans.  This session, AARP will be advocating for bipartisan health reform proposals to pay doctors and other care providers based on results and the quality of care.  AARP will also advocate for clear information that helps consumers understand and compare the quality and costs of care provided by doctors, clinics and hospitals. The State Legislature’s Commission on Health Care Access, and Governor Pawlenty’s Transformation Task Force will both propose changes this session, which may include cutting waste, focusing on prevention and spreading insurance to all by 2011.  Other proposals may include new online tools to help consumers shop for health care and allowing insurance to move with Minnesotans from job to job.  “AARP will be watching this debate closely, ensuring that consumers have a voice at the table,” said AARP State President Skip Humphrey.  “Our job is to urge our lawmakers to come together and take bold steps so that Minnesota can regain its prominence as a health care leader.”

Care for the Caregivers Legislation Still on the Agenda

Last session, AARP led efforts to raise awareness of the needs of a growing number of families who are giving long-term care informally to their older family members and those with disabilities.  AARP made lawmakers and the public more aware that unpaid family members provide the vast majority of the long-term care provided in society. These family caregivers are often juggling multiple roles at home and in the labor force, or are experiencing other stresses and health problems.  To better recognize the needs of family caregivers, AARP will again urge support for legislation to allow family members to legally use earned sick time to care for their loved ones.  AARP also will support providing tax credits for informal family caregivers.

Long-term Care Issues to Arise Again

Although health care reform will be AARP’s top priority, long-term care issues will also be followed closely this session.  Receiving long-term care at home and in the community is cost-effective – and it’s what Minnesota consumers want.   As a member of the Leadership Council on Aging, a coalition of top groups working together to prepare Minnesota as our society ages, AARP will urge consideration of the Community Care Act to strengthen an array of home and community-based services, address barriers to accessing these services and support family caregivers. 

Cell Phone Legislation will Help Consumers

AARP is bringing the concerns of frustrated cell phone consumers to state lawmakers, urging passage of legislation to improve consumer protections.  Consumers experience a multitude of problems with cell phone service, due to lack of easy-to-understand information from wireless telephone providers. AARP will be advocating for legislation that ensures that billing practices are fair and requires providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers.  AARP will also urge lawmakers to protect consumers who want to switch between service providers by prohibiting excessive contract termination fees.  Many stories about bad cell phone service, unfair contracts and undisclosed fees are pouring into AARP and will be shared with lawmakers to urge improvements for consumers. 

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

AARP Urging Improvements to Stimulus Package

Rising energy prices and instability in the housing market have heightened fears of an economic downturn.  Spurred to action by fears of a recession, leaders in the U.S. House worked with the Bush Administration to craft a bipartisan plan to help shore up America’s economy by providing many citizens with tax rebates to help stimulate spending.  Under this bipartisan plan, millions of Americans taxpayers will receive rebates – up to $600 for individual taxpayers and $1,200 for working couples.  However, AARP is concerned that the plan falls short of ensuring that older Americans receive a share of relief in the current economic climate. Less than half of Americans aged 65 and older have a positive taxable income, and this proposal will do little to alleviate the economic pressure faced by these citizens.  The Senate has proposed a plan that includes relief for older Americans who depend on Social Security.  Call AARP’s hotline at 1-800-580-5739 now to be connected to your Members of Congress and urge them to ensure that Americans past the age of 65 will not be left out – including the over 20 million seniors who rely primarily on Social Security.  Both houses of Congress are likely to vote on an economic stimulus compromise plan by the end of the week.

UPDATE ON DIVIDED WE FAIL 

From now until the 2008 general election, AARP will be working to urge candidates and elected officials to enact bipartisan solutions to ensure that all Americans have affordable, quality health care and a secure financial future. So far, more than 14,000 Minnesotans have signed the Divided We Fail pledge, vowing to vote for candidates who put partisan politics aside and provide meaningful answers to health and financial security concerns.  We have collected hundreds of personal stories from Minnesotans who have had health care or financial crises.  And, we have gotten every member of the Minnesota Congressional delegation to sign the Divided We Fail pledge or sign a letter of support for the platform.  Join our Divided We Fail volunteer team and help spread the messages across the state.  Go to dividedwefail.org to learn more.  Contact us at aarpmn@aarp.org or call us at 1-866-554-5381 for more information.

Super Tuesday Efforts Promote Divided We Fail

You might be reading this newsletter on Tuesday, Feb. 5, known as Super Tuesday around the country.  As you know, 24 states are holding presidential primaries or caucuses on Super Tuesday. Minnesota, by moving up its caucuses from March, is part of the national political calculus as never before.   Because of Minnesota’s new prominence, AARP is educating potential caucus-goers about candidates’ views on the issues of health and financial security.  Volunteers helped disseminate AARP’s guide called In Their Own Words, a document outlining what the presidential primary candidates have said about these key issues.  Volunteers also distributed the guide and other Divided We Fail materials at the Mall of America and in the Minneapolis skyway system on Super Tuesday.  The guide is still available at www.dividedwefail.org. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

GREAT Member will Lobby Lawmakers on Health Care on March 5

The 80+ volunteers from around the state who serve as members of the Grassroots, Elections and Advocacy Team (GREAT) will gather at the State Capitol on March 5 to lobby state lawmakers on health care issues.  These volunteers have participated in issue training session held across the state in January, and have been developing relationships with their lawmakers.  Volunteers will personally reach out to individual elected officials, making their voice heard on these key issues.  Send an email to apope@aarp.org or call Paro at 1-866-554-5381 if you are interested in joining the GREAT team and being part of Lobby Day.

On behalf of more than 700,000 older Minnesotans and their families, AARP urges legislators to:

Improve Health Care for Minnesotans

Most Minnesotans (more than 93 percent) have some kind of health insurance.  Yet, thousands of Minnesotans, including individuals, government and businesses, struggle to pay for the rising costs of their health care. Thousands are “underinsured” and avoid preventative care visits because of high deductibles or lack of coverage.  Furthermore, the quality of the health care we get varies greatly – and we do not always get what we pay for.  Consumers want and deserve greater information about their health care choices – information about doctors, hospitals, clinics – so they can make better choices and improve their health care outcomes.  AARP will work to ensure that consumers have access to quality of care and that consumers can get the appropriate information to make the good health care decisions. 

Support Long-term Caregivers

AARP urges lawmakers to provide better support for the people who provide long-term care for our loved ones, whether they are formal, paid caregivers or informal caregivers like family members or neighbors. Unpaid family members now provide the vast majority of the long-term care provided in society. These caregivers are often juggling multiple roles at home and in the labor force, or are experiencing other stresses and health problems.  Paid caregivers -- workers in the long-term care system -- often experience low wages and poor benefits.  We ask that lawmakers recognize the needs that all caregivers share in caring for our loved ones.

• We urge lawmakers to provide better benefits like improved wages and health care coverage for workers in the long-term care system. 
• To better recognize the needs of family caregivers, AARP supports a bill that will allow family members to legally use earned sick time to care for their loved ones. 
• AARP also supports a bill to provide tax credits for informal caregivers. Receiving long-term care at home and in the community is cost-effective – and it’s what Minnesota consumers want.   AARP supports the Community Care Act to strengthen an array of home and community-based services.

Protect Wireless Telephone Consumers

Older consumers increasingly rely on wireless telephone services. However, consumers experience a multitude of problems with service, due to lack of easy to understand information from wireless telephone providers.  AARP urges legislators to protect consumers by ensuring that billing practices are fair, calls are charged at the time of connection (not when dialed) and by requiring providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers.  AARP also urges lawmakers to prohibit excessive contract termination fees and to give consumers the right to cancel a cell phone contract within 20 days after the first bill arrives.

On behalf of more than 700,000 older Minnesotans and their families, AARP urges legislators to:

Improve Health Care for Minnesotans

Most Minnesotans (more than 93 percent) have some kind of health insurance.  Yet, thousands of Minnesotans, including individuals, government and businesses, struggle to pay for the rising costs of their health care. Thousands are “underinsured” and avoid preventative care visits because of high deductibles or lack of coverage.  Furthermore, the quality of the health care we get varies greatly – and we do not always get what we pay for.  Consumers want and deserve greater information about their health care choices – information about doctors, hospitals, clinics – so they can make better choices and improve their health care outcomes.  AARP will work to ensure that consumers have access to quality of care and that consumers can get the appropriate information to make the good health care decisions. 

Support Long-term Caregivers

AARP urges lawmakers to provide better support for the people who provide long-term care for our loved ones, whether they are formal, paid caregivers or informal caregivers like family members or neighbors. Unpaid family members now provide the vast majority of the long-term care provided in society. These caregivers are often juggling multiple roles at home and in the labor force, or are experiencing other stresses and health problems.  Paid caregivers -- workers in the long-term care system -- often experience low wages and poor benefits.  We ask that lawmakers recognize the needs that all caregivers share in caring for our loved ones.

• We urge lawmakers to provide better benefits like improved wages and health care coverage for workers in the long-term care system. 
• To better recognize the needs of family caregivers, AARP supports a bill that will allow family members to legally use earned sick time to care for their loved ones. 
• AARP also supports a bill to provide tax credits for informal caregivers. Receiving long-term care at home and in the community is cost-effective – and it’s what Minnesota consumers want.   AARP supports the Community Care Act to strengthen an array of home and community-based services.

Protect Wireless Telephone Consumers

Older consumers increasingly rely on wireless telephone services. However, consumers experience a multitude of problems with service, due to lack of easy to understand information from wireless telephone providers.  AARP urges legislators to protect consumers by ensuring that billing practices are fair, calls are charged at the time of connection (not when dialed) and by requiring providers to give consumers clear, reliable and meaningful information that is easily accessible and comparable across service providers.  AARP also urges lawmakers to prohibit excessive contract termination fees and to give consumers the right to cancel a cell phone contract within 20 days after the first bill arrives.