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Coffee, Donuts and Health Care Reform

AARP Nebraska will host “Coffee, Donuts and Health Care Reform” to share AARP’s priorities for health reform in communities across Nebraska during late May and early June.

“AARP will be actively engaged in the debate on health care reform in the coming months,” said AARP State Director Connie Benjamin. “Over coffee and donuts, we will discuss AARP’s health reform priorities for Americans age 50 plus and give participants a chance to share their perspectives and ideas about what needs to be done.”

All sessions are free and open to the public.

Lincoln - May 29. 10 to 11:30 a.m. and repeated in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3 p.m. AARP Nebraska office in the CornhuskerPlaza at 301 S. 13^th St., Suite 201. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Elena at 323-5422 or eguerra@aarp.org.

Omaha – June 5. 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the AARPInformationCenter, Center Mall, 1941 S. 42^nd St., Suite 220. Space is limited. Please reserve a seat by calling the AARPInformationCenter at 398-9568.

North Platte – June 8. 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the North PlatteSeniorCenter at 900 E. 10^th St. No RSVP is needed.

Scottsbluff - June 9.10 to 11:30 a.m. Main Floor Conference Room of the BluffsBusinessCenter at 1517 Broadway. No RSVP is needed.

AARP’s Health Care Action Now campaign is focused on six critical priorities that must be part of health reform:

· Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64;

· Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “donut hole”;

· Creating a Medicare transition benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay and prevent costly hospital readmissions;

· Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age;

· Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments; and

· Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.

Added: May 20, 2009
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AARP Announces Health Reform Goals

AARP today announced six specific elements that must be part of health reform, including closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap and ensuring 50- to 64-year-olds have access to affordable health care choices. AARP membersand activists were the first to learn about the announcement when the organization posted its goals on its Government Watch website this morning.

“Our members expect and need action on health care now,” said AARP State Director Connie Benjamin. “Our health care system costs too much, wastes too much, makes too many mistakes and gives us back too little value for our money. We’re counting on Congress and the President to find bipartisan, common sense solutions this year that will provide quality, affordable health choices for all Americans.”

AARP’s health reform campaign will focus on six critical priorities:

1) Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64;

2) Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “doughnut hole”;

3) Creating a Medicare transition benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay and prevent costly hospital readmissions;

4) Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age;

5) Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments; and

6) Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.

Tomorrow, AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen will participate in the Senate Finance Committee’s roundtable on health coverage. AARP members will also visit Capitol Hill to discuss with their Senators the struggle of getting and affording health insurance, particularly for people 50 to 64. AARP will be distributing to the entire Congress booklets of our members’ personal stories—real life experiences that put a human face on the 38,000 uninsured Nebraskans in this age group.

Beginning today, AARP is launching a month-long television and print advertising campaign. The ads use personal stories to communicate the priorities of AARP members to lawmakers in Washington. The campaign will include full-page ads in the Capitol Hill publications, as well as television ads on Face the Nation, Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press and This Week.

For details on AARP’s health reform campaign, visit HealthActionNow.org.

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: May 4, 2009
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Fat 2 Fit Community Weight Loss Challenge

Join the AARP Fat 2 Fit Community Weight-Loss Challenge April 15—and be ready for bathing suit season. We'll track our weight loss and see how much we can collectively drop by June 15. Visit www.aarp.org/fat2fit daily to get ready and find tips. Trade stories in the Fat 2 Fit Community. Your coach, Carole Carson, will award weekly prizes for best practices.

Added: April 16, 2009
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AARP Applauds Changes in Security Freeze

Curbing identity theft just became cheaper and easier under Nebraska’s security freeze law thanks to action by state lawmakers.

Since 2007, Nebraska consumers have had the right to place a security freeze on their credit reports. With a few simple steps, state residents can choose to lock up their personal financial data and prevent thieves from using credit information to obtain loans or open new accounts.

But with fees totaling $45 to place a security freeze at all three national credit reporting bureaus, few people appear to be taking these precautions.

“The cost has simply been out of reach for too many Nebraskans, limiting the effectiveness of the law,” said AARP State President Sunny Andrews.

Aiming to fix the problem, the Legislature and Gov. Dave Heineman this week approved LB 177 to strengthen consumer protections established in the original 2007 law. The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha.

Most importantly, fees for security freezes have been dropped from $15 to $3 per credit reporting agency. That means a consumer can freeze their credit reports with the three credit reporting bureaus for just $9. The bill also eliminated an automatic 7-year expiration date for security freezes, leaving that decision up to the consumer about when to lift or cancel a freeze.

Nebraska is now ranked in the top five states offering the lowest security freeze fees in the nation. Montana and Georgia also charge $3 per credit reporting agency, while Indiana and South Carolina charge nothing.

The successful measure was among AARP Nebraska’s top legislative priorities in the 2009 session. Andrews, himself a victim of identity theft, praised lawmakers for enacting changes to make the security freeze work for consumers.

“Our hope is that the improvements will encourage more Nebraskans to freeze their credit reports and gain more control over how their personal information is used,” he said. “Everyone needs a way to proactively shield themselves from identity theft, which is what a security freeze does.”

For more information about how to place a security freeze on your credit report, visit http://www.idtheftne.org/

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: April 14, 2009
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Health Reform Community Discussion in Grand Island April 29

Is Health Care Reform Within Our Reach?

A Community Discussion

FREE and OPEN to the public

Wednesday, April 29

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Grand Generation Center

304 E. 3^rd St.

Grand Island, NE

Americans are struggling with skyrocketing premiums, small businesses are fighting to remain competitive while providing benefits, and still many more Americans lack access to health insurance and as a result, face mounting hospital bills. We’ve all heard stories of families going bankrupt from thousands of dollars in medical bills, elderly choosing between prescriptions and groceries, and patients being denied life saving medical procedures due to costs.

We all know what the problems are, now is the time to find a solution.

Panelists include: Jennifer Carter, Director/Attorney Appleseed’s Health Care Access Program; Jon Bailey, Director Rural Research & Analysis Center for Rural Affairs; Dr. Mike McGahan, Medical Director at St. Francis Medical Center and Larry Harbour, Small Business Owner from Broken Bow, NE.

Sponsored by Opportunity at Work, Divided We Fail, AARP Nebraska, Voices for Children in Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed, American Cancer Society, Health Care for America NOW!, SEIU Change That Works.

Added: April 14, 2009
Views: 142 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Join AARP by phone for a special nationwide event!

HealthActionNow.org

Town Hall

Tuesday, April 7

12:30 – 2:30 p.m. CT

The President and members of Congress are saying they want to bring about health reform this year. Want to learn more about AARP's role in the health reform debate – what we're working for and how we're representing YOU?

Sign up to be a part of AARP's first nationwide town hall event and enter your own questionfor the AARP leaders and expert panelists to answer during the call!

Click here to reserve your spot at the town hall!http://aarp.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/nationwide_town_hall

Added: April 2, 2009
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Advocates Urge Increase for Community Aging Services

Aging advocates urge funding increase for

Nebraska’s community-based aging services

Aging advocates from across Nebraska are urging state lawmakers to increase funding for community-based aging services that help keep people out of nursing homes and save millions of dollars annually in state Medicaid spending.

Community aging services delivered by the state’s area agencies on aging help frail, older Nebraskans continue to live at home with transportation, home-delivered meals, in-home care and care management coordination by nurses and social workers. A recent AARP survey of older Nebraskans found that 84 percent of respondents want services enabling their family members and themselves to stay at home as long as possible if long-term care services were needed.

“Community aging services enjoy overwhelming support from AARP members. They help people live where they want to live, contribute to quality of life and save money for taxpayers,” said Mark Intermill, AARP Nebraska’s associate state director for advocacy. “These services are of vital importance as we prepare for a future where more than 100,000 Nebraskans will be over age 85 in the year 2040.”

In fiscal year 2008, Nebraska saved $10 million on Medicaid long-term care spending because of services that help older adults remain in their homes and communities. On average, nursing home care costs Medicaid two and a half times as much as in-home care for persons who require similar levels of care.

AARP Nebraska is calling for a five percent increase of $790,000 in the next two-year budget for community aging services to reduce the waiting list and sustain the services that are currently being provided. Gov. Heineman’s requested one percent budget increase of $232,000 will not keep pace with inflation, leading to cuts in services and forcing more people to move to nursing homes financed by Medicaid.

“Two years ago, we were keeping up with demand for the most part but no longer,” said June Pederson, director of the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging. “These services have been remarkably successful. A modest $790,000 increase would be balanced by the reduction in state expenses for Medicare payments to nursing homes. We could add to our care management staff and reduce our waiting list for services, improving the lives of older Nebraskans as they age in place.”

Leo Racine, a retired social worker from Bellevue who receives in-home assistance with daily activities several times a week, stressed the importance of aging services in his own life.

“There’s no question that without these services, I would be in a nursing home. Instead, I’m in my own home, where I’ve been able to maintain my independence and a good quality of life,” he said. “I have no family in the area. Yet, with the home care I receive, my life is happy and productive. It’s a lot cheaper for me to keep active in my own home rather than slowly decay in a nursing home.”

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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. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.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: March 30, 2009
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Stimulus Bill Helps Older Nebraskans

In a historic and critical vote, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on Feb. 13. Designated as a “key vote” by AARP on behalf of its 222,000 members in Nebraska and 40 million members nationwide , the elected officials’ votes will be posted on AARP’s Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so that the public can see how their lawmakers voted on this legislation. U.S. Sen. E. Benjamin Nelson voted in support of the stimulus bill, while U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns along with Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry and Adrian Smith voted against the measure.

Connie Benjamin, State Director for AARP Nebraska, released the following statement today:

“Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals has forced us all to take notice of this dire moment in history. The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a critical moment for Nebraskans young and old and a vital jump start to our ailing economy, with about $1 billion in estimated benefits for Nebraska..

“AARP is pleased to see that Congress included a $250 economic recovery payment for older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities who are not eligible for the Make Work Pay credit.

“Additionally, we are encouraged by the long-term investment made by Congress that brings us steps closer to health care reform. Funding for health information technology, comparative effectiveness research and nurse and primary care training are all essential building blocks for reform and AARP is encouraged by their inclusion in the stimulus bill.

“While this landmark legislation is crucial to addressing our nation’s most pressing issues today, many critical issues remain. As an organization that regularly works with both sides of the aisle, we are hopeful for bipartisan solutions as Congress and the new administration move forward.

In a recent letter to House and Senate leadership, AARP CEO Bill Novelli outlined the most important issues for older Americans in this legislation:

· A $250 economic recovery payment for older persons, veterans, and individuals with disabilities who are ineligible to receive a Make Work Pay credit.

· A significant increase in Medicaid spending that will help to stimulate the economy as the current economic downturn causes caseloads to rise while revenues plummet. Nebraska stands to receive $310 million in additional Medicaid assistance.

· Essential building blocks for health care reform, including support for health information technology that includes critical privacy protections, health care comparative effectiveness research, and nurse and primary care training. These changes are critical because we cannot fix our economy if we do not address our broken health care system.

· An increase in funding for the Social Security Administration at a time of significant caseload increases.

· Affordable health insurance via subsidized COBRA for those who have lost health coverage along with jobs.

· An extension and increase in unemployment benefits. Over the past twelve months the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen by 65 percent.

· An increase in Food Stamps and other nutrition support. Fixed and low-income individuals face unacceptable choices as food costs increase along with the price of medicine and health care. Nebraska will receive an estimated $239,000 for Senior Meals Programs.

· An increase in the Weatherization Assistance Program to help low-income and older couples reduce their energy costs, with an estimated $43 million coming to Nebraska.

· A substantial increase in funding for transportation infrastructure projects that expand mobility options, including mass transit, rural and para-transit programs, and improved coordination of human services transportation programs. Nebraska is expected to receive more than $23 million for investments in mass transit.

· An increase in the loan value limit for FHA-insured reverse equity mortgages that would allow greater numbers of older homeowners to safely tap the equity in their homes to refinance unaffordable mortgages, obtain more suitable housing, pay medical bills or just meet daily living costs.

To learn more about Nebraska’s estimated benefits under the stimulus legislation, visit www.aarp.org/ne . The information will be posted in coming days as the details become available.

Added: February 17, 2009
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Health Coverage Shrinking for Adults 50-64

Testifying on Feb. 11 before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, AARP Nebraska State Director Connie Benjamin urged action on the Health Care Accessibility and Affordability Act (LB 656) to provide for reform of the state’s health care system:

“The need for health care reform is a top concern of our 222,000 members in Nebraska. We need to make quality, affordable health care coverage options available to all Americans, including people age 50-64, which are one of the fastest growing segments of the uninsured. More than one in every four adults ages 50-64 in the U.S. lacks adequate health insurance or does without any health insurance at all.

“According to the Institute of Medicine, “’adults with chronic conditions and those in late middle age stand to benefit the most from health insurance coverage in terms of improved health outcomes because of their high probability of needing health care services’”.

“The health care system in our country is broken. Health care bills are skyrocketing while coverage is shrinking. And none of us can solve the health care crisis alone. Businesses, government and individuals all have a part to play in guaranteeing that our health care is secure. LB 656 provides a road map to work together through a representative Advisory Council and make recommendations for a comprehensive plan to create solutions that benefit all generations.

“AARP strongly agrees with the emphasis on refocusing our health care system to promote prevention and wellness education and reward quality rather than quantity of care. We strongly support this bill and urge the committee to move it to General File.”

Added: February 11, 2009
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Digital TV Is Coming: Are You Ready?

From Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning

The countdown is on and the conversion to digital TV is just a few months away. Last week, Congress passed the DTV Delay Act which extended the deadline from Feb. 17 to June 12.

Several stations in Nebraska will still go ahead flip the digital switch next week as previously planned. If you haven't had a chance to check out your television signal situation, the time to take action is now.

Digital TV will free up channels in the broadcast spectrum. Channels that can be used for police, fire and emergency personnel to help enhance public safety. Digital TV will also offer better picture and sound quality along with more programming.

If you get your TV signal from cable or satellite, the transition should be a smooth one. But if your signal comes through an antenna or rabbit ears, you'll need to make some changes very soon if you still want to watch your favorite shows.

If you have an antenna, some options are:

buying a television with a digital tuner
subscribing to cable or satellite service
buying a converter box

If you choose to buy a box, make sure to only buy from trusted retailers. Some companies may try and sell converter boxes for far more than their worth. Keep in mind the price is usually between $40 and $70.

Our consumer protection division has been helping numerous Nebraskans with the switch to digital TV and we're happy to help answer your questions. For more information contact 1-800-727-6432 or go to www.ago.ne.gov. To find out the latest conversion information for television stations in your area go to www.ne-ba.org.

Added: February 10, 2009
Views: 179 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

My Journals (53)