The Walmart Foundation Teams Up with the AARP Foundation

 to Help Unemployed Women Get Back to Work

$1.5 Million Grant from the Walmart Foundation funds scholarships for 450 low-income women

The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program just announced a $1.5 million grant from the Walmart Foundation that will help 450 women aged 40 and up receive job training and educational opportunities that will help support themselves and their families.

“In this economy more than ever, workers need the right skills and training to increase their earnings potential. Women in particular don’t always have the resources in the second half of life to access the education they need,” said Robin Talbert, AARP Foundation president. “We are so pleased to work with the Walmart Foundation to provide underserved women with opportunities to expand their career options in later life.”

The AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program provides scholarship funding to women with moderate-to-low-incomes and limited financial resources. Scholarships help women pay for public or private secondary school, including community colleges, technical/vocational schools and four-year universities. Winners can use funds for tuition, fees and books.

Nearly twice as many women as men will face poverty in their retirement years, according to data from AARP. AARP data also reports that women earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to men – which translates to an average of $250,000 less over their work lives to invest in retirement.

“The Walmart Foundation is committed to supporting workers in their efforts to gain access to job opportunities,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “We are pleased to be a part of this project, which gives mature women the opportunity to continue to play a vital role in the workforce while providing for themselves and their families.”

In 2008— the Women’s Scholarship Program’s first year—more than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 were awarded. This year, more than 1,000 applications are under review and winners will be announced later this month. To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be:

* Women aged 40 or over;

* Able to demonstrate financial need; and

* Enrolled in an accredited school or technical program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.

To apply, women can visit http://www.aarpfoundationwlc.org/.

For more information on the Walmart Foundation and its workforce development efforts, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

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AARP Reacts to President’s Health Care Town Hall

 
AARP Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson issued this statement following remarks by the President at an August 11 town hall event in New Hampshire on health care reform. 
 
“AARP has been working with Democrats and Republicans to fix our broken health care system.
 
“While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate. 
 
“AARP supports specific measures that would help older Americans and their families – including bipartisan proposals to create a new follow-up care benefit in Medicare that would help prevent hospital re-admissions, as well as to address the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the ‘doughnut hole.’  We also support the need for lawmakers and the Administration to act this year to fix what doesn’t work in the health care system. 
 
“We share the President’s commitment to act this year, and our members appreciate his insistence that any final reform package will not reduce Medicare benefits for the millions of people that literally depend on that program as a lifeline."

 “We look forward to working with leaders of both parties, including the President, to build a final package we could endorse that addresses the concerns of the 50-plus population and brings quality, affordable health care choices to every American.”
 
For more information about AARP’s Health Action Now campaign, please visit www.healthactionnow.org.

 

 Health Action Now Weekly Update

Special Lobby Day Edition: July 31, 2009

Get the Facts

Dispelling the Myths About Health Care Reform

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. Check out AARP’s blog this week, which is highlighting some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong .

AARP Advocates Continue to Push for Health Reform on Capitol Hill

Washington-After their arrival in Washington, D.C., AARP New Hampshire Advocates Chuck and Peter began their push for health care reform during face-to-face meetings with elected officials.

Both advocates found the day's activities to be exciting and informative. Peter stated, "The day was extremely informative and provided us with the most up to date information on the critical status of health reform." Chuck echoed Peter's enthusiasm, affirming, "Today was an exciting day and we are both looking forward to our meetings with Members of Congress on the Hill on Thursday."

Stay tuned to Facebook for more updates as the push for health reform continues!

AARP: HELP Committee Bill Marks Critical Step Toward Health Care Reform 

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

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

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

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

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

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