Oct. 27, 2009

Oct. 21, 2009

Oct. 16, 2009

CONTACTS:

AARP National:David Allen or Jordan McNerney, 202-434-2560

AARP Oregon : Sara Wurfel , 503-513-7367

AMA: Brenda Craine, 202-789-7447

AARP and the American Medical Association (AMA) have sent a letter to the Senate, urging Senators to pass S. 1776, the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, which lays the foundation for a new payment system to help ensure seniors' access to and choice of physicians. If left unchecked, physicians face an unprecedented 21.5 percent cut in Medicare payment rates in 2010, with additional cuts in future years. These cuts will hurt older Americans who rely on Medicare and baby boomers who soon will. 

Uncertainty about whether Congress will prevent the cuts has contributed to the decision of some physicians to stop taking Medicare patients, making finding a doctor increasingly difficult for millions of seniors in Medicare.

The letter points to joint polling conducted by the AMA and AARP, which found that “two-thirds of people over 50 years old are either very or somewhat concerned that the current health care system limits their ability to see the doctor of their choice.”  It continues, saying “The continuing threat of steep Medicare payment cuts jeopardizes seniors’ access to care and physicians’ confidence in the government’s commitment to funding a strong and reliable Medicare program.”  With the first wave of baby boomers reaching Medicare age in just two years, the time to act is now.

The letter also notes that Congress has passed legislation to override the flawed formula seven times in the last seven years, saying that “the past practice of ‘temporary band-aids’ … has only served to increase both the size of future cuts and the cost of subsequent interventions.”  The Medicare Physician Fairness Act would permanently replace the current flawed formula with a payment system that ensures doctors are paid fairly so they’ll not only continue to treat existing Medicare patients, but also accept new patients.

In closing, the letter urges the Senate, on behalf of older Americans and the physicians who care for them, to pass this important legislation.

Oct. 15, 2009

 

Oct. 15, 2009

CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org

AARP Oregon: 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org

AARP urges swift Congressional action to provide $250 in relief for older Americans in 2010
Millions on Social Security to receive no increase for first time since 1975

AARP Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson offered the following statement in reaction to the Social Security Administration’s announcement this morning that 41 million older Americans will not receive a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010. Since automatic Social Security adjustments went into effect in 1975, there has never been a year without a COLA.

“For over three decades, millions of Americans have counted on annual increases to help make ends meet. In this economy, having this protection is even more critical for the financial security of all older Americans.

“AARP applauds the President for urging Congress to extend for 2010 the $250 economic relief provided to older Americans this year. We also commend members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, who have sponsored legislation to provide similar relief. The 65+ population is facing extreme financial hardship; older Americans are paying more out of pocket for medical care, have experienced a real decline in their retirement accounts and in housing values, face longer periods of unemployment for those who need to work, and low returns on interest bearing accounts. Without relief, millions of older Americans will be unable to afford skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, as well as other basic necessities.

“Today’s news of no COLA gives Congress another reason to act quickly and pass legislation to provide needed assistance for older Americans whose benefits will be frozen next year. AARP will continue to work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to provide $250 in economic relief to millions of seniors who count on Social Security to pay their bills.”

For more information, please visit www.aarp.org .

Oct. 14, 2009

Attorney General John Kroger is warning Oregonians about con-artists, posing as U.S. Census workers. Conducted every ten years, the U.S. Census is an important process that helps to both define legislative districts, and determine how to allocate $300 billion to local, state and tribal governments each year.

For every person living at an address the U.S., the U.S. Census will ask for a name, age, gender, race, ethnic origin, birth date, marital status, employment status, and other similar information. Con-artists posing as Census employees ask for donations, personal financial information, and/or Social Security numbers. Here are some tips to tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and con-artists:

1. U.S. Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail.
2. U.S. Census workers will not ask you about past debt, solicit money, or in any way harass you about finances.
3. U.S. Census workers will not ask for you Social Security Number, banking information, or credit card number.
4. U.S. Census workers will have identification; a copy of the notification letter you received, or should have received, in the mail describing the survey; and, depending on the area, a laptop and laptop case bearing the insignia of the U.S. Census Bureau.

If you are unsure whether or not you are the target of a Census-related scam, please call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. 

Or read this AARP Bulletin article for more information on how to tell the difference between a census faker or an official taker.

Oct. 14, 2009

CONTACTS:

AARP: 202-434-2560

 

• Assist individuals struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs and basic necessities;
• Provide job training and assistance to older Americans who need to work to make ends meet;
• Help lower-income taxpayers qualify for the right deductions and credits;
• Protect older Americans from consumer fraud and identity theft;
• Protect against age discrimination;
• Help seniors manage their finances so they can remain in their homes and retain their independence;
• Support grandparents raising grandchildren;
• Provide education and training to older women reentering the workforce to support their families; or
• Help improve the lives of all seniors.

Oct. 13, 2009

Oct. 7, 2009

Contact
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org

Oct. 6, 2009

CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org

“AARP commends Chairmen Harkin, Leahy and Miller for their critical work to put an end to age discrimination in the workplace,” AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said today. “Their bill will protect older workers from being relegated to second class status when they try to vindicate their rights under the ADEA. Unless Congress passes this bill, too many older workers who have been victims of arbitrary age discrimination will be denied their day in court.”

The legislation addresses a June court decision that changed proof standards in place for decades, and has left many victims of age bias without a remedy. For instance, workers with valid claims of bias on grounds of age and race, or age and sex, have had to give up their claims of age bias in order to pursue other claims.

The Gross decision came in the midst of difficult economic conditions for older workers facing special obstacles. The unemployment rate for persons aged 55 and over is now well above what is has been for most of the past six decades. According to the most recent statistics, the average duration of unemployment for older workers was more than 12 weeks longer than it was when the recession started in 2007.

At the same time, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has reported a significant uptick in the number of age discrimination complaints. For the 2008 fiscal year, 29 percent more age discrimination charges were filed than in the previous fiscal year.

An AARP survey announced last year found that 60 percent of those surveyed aged 45 to 74 said that they had personally faced or observed age discrimination in the workplace.

“We urge Congress to quickly approve this bill as an important first step in a concerted effort to restore protections under our age discrimination laws, and to correct a misguided court decision that has jeopardized the rights of all older workers to be judged fairly on their abilities, not their age,” LeaMond said.

For more information, please visit www.aarp.org.