Clackamas, Oregon
United States
My Journals (137)
Oct. 1, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
AARP announces support for $250 emergency relief in 2010 for older Americans
Urges Congress to pass legislation immediately to address lack of Social Security COLA
With an expected announcement of no Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010, AARP CEO Barry Rand called on House and Senate leaders to provide $250 in emergency relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling in this economic climate. AARP will work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to urge quick passage of legislation that will help combat rising health care and prescription drug costs that consume an increasing amount of seniors’ income each year.
Excerpts from Rand’s letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) follow:
“On behalf of our 40 million members nationwide, AARP would like to express our strong support for providing America's seniors with $250 in emergency relief as the appropriate legislative response to the projected lack of a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.”
“Seniors spend a disproportionate share of their income (about 30 percent on average) on health care costs, which continue to increase well above the rate of overall inflation. The combination of higher health care costs, including prescription drug prices, and a stagnant Social Security benefit is particularly troubling and will result in lower net Social Security payments to millions of America’s seniors in January 2010.”
“Many senior citizens have lost a significant portion of their retirement savings due to the recent downturn in the U.S. economy. Unlike younger Americans, however, retirees have less time to make up substantial stock market and 401(k) account losses. The decline in housing prices in many parts of the country may also cause severe difficulties for those seniors who need to tap the equity in their homes in order to fund their retirement.”
“We urge you to pass legislation as soon as possible to provide relief to millions of Americans who will not receive a COLA next year.”
Click here for a copy of the letter.
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CONTACTS
Boomers skipping care, likely driving up future costs
1 in 5 people in Medicare have experienced waste, fraud or abuse
As AARP continues to fight for health care reforms that will reduce costs and improve access to coverage, new survey data released today find many older Americans – particularly baby boomers – need help more than ever. The AARP Closer Look survey finds more than one-third of boomers (36 percent) and nearly a quarter of people 65+ (23 percent) are not confident their insurance and savings would cover the costs of a major illness.
“The evidence is clear that older Americans need the health care system fixed—whether they’re boomers in the private insurance market or seniors in Medicare,” said AARP Executive Vice President John Rother. “No one should ever be forced to skip a prescription or a doctor’s visit because they’re worried about the cost.”
Even boomers with health coverage often go without the treatment they need. More than a third (34 percent) of people 45 to 64 reported postponing health care treatments in the last year because of the economic downturn. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) reported not filling a prescription, cutting pills in half or skipping doses of a prescription. Even more in that age group (27 percent) had trouble paying medical bills.
In the same age group, 12 percent reported being uninsured, with the vast majority having been without coverage for at least one year. This group of uninsured boomers—estimated to be more than 7 million Americans—risks serious health complications and higher costs later in life, with 87 percent skipping treatments and 55 percent cutting back on prescription drugs. Research in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that people who are uninsured in their 50s and 60s use more services when they enter Medicare, placing a greater burden on the program and their own wallets.
Among the Medicare population (Americans 65-plus), the poll found individuals were less likely than boomers to go without needed treatment, though many still postponed care (17 percent) or skipped medications (12 percent) because of the turbulent economy. Health reform proposals under consideration on Capitol Hill would add more preventive benefits and improve drug coverage for people in Medicare to better help this population get the screenings and treatments they need but sometimes struggle to afford.
Several health reform provisions would also crack down on the waste, fraud and abuse that nearly one in five people in Medicare (19 percent) reported experiencing, including duplicative tests and bills for items or services they did not receive. A vast majority of those in Medicare (80 percent) felt cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse should be a top priority in health care reform. Proposals now in Congress would eliminate billions of dollars in Medicare waste, fraud and abuse by stepping up enforcement, improving care coordination and reducing subsidies to private insurance companies.
Methodology
The AARP Closer LookSM survey is made up of two questionnaires:
General health care questions were asked of Americans age 45 and older. RDD telephone interviews were conducted from July 22 – August 3, 2009 among a nationally representative sample of 939 respondents 45 years of age or older. Of those, 100 respondents were Hispanic and 103 respondents were African-American. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.20% at the 95% confidence level.
For questions regarding Medicare waste, fraud and abuse, AARP conducted a survey of the 65-plus population. RDD telephone interviews were conducted from July 23 – August 9, 2009 among a nationally representative sample of 624 respondents 65 years of age or older. Of those, a total of 112 were Hispanic. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.92% at the 95% confidence level. Weights are applied to allow unbiased generalization to the overall 65+ cohort.
Both surveys are available at http://www.aarp.org/research/surveys/money/econ/trends/articles/closer_look.html
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Medicare cuts don't mean benefits cuts. U.S. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explains. Watch now at http://bit.ly/sebelius .
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Oregonians facing foreclosure may have a better opportunity to stay in their homes, thanks to a new that takes effect Sept. 28.
Senate Bill 628, passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature and one of AARP Oregon's legislative priorities, requires lenders to meet with homeowners -- either in person or by phone -- and evaluate whether they qualify for a loan modification, which could lower borrowers' monthly payments and enable them to keep their homes.
Starting today, foreclosure notices that are sent to homeowners who are late on their mortgage payments must include new information about how to meet with their lender and how to request a loan modification. If the borrower requests it, lenders must meet with the borrower and evaluate the borrower for a loan modification before foreclosing on the home. Homeowners should immmediately take one of the following steps:
- Call lender to set up a meeting to discuss a loan modification.
- Fill out the loan modification form provided in the notice within 30 days.
- Call 1800-SAFENET or log onto www.211info.org/- to be referred to or find a nonprofit foreclosure counselor. The counselor can help you navigate the process and help you request a loan modification.
Homeowners should act fast – they have 30 days from the date of the foreclosure notice to request a loan modification.
Homeowners age 50 and over have been significantly affected by the mortgage crisis, according to research reports from AARP's Public Policy Institute. Estimates at the end of 2007 (before the crisis has grown) showed they represented nearly a third of all foreclosures.
"For Oregonians over 50, losing a house represents a loss, from which there is little time to recover, and for some, recovery may be impossible given their age or limited incomes," said Jerry Cohen, AARP Oregon State Director. "This new law is an important new tool for them, and for homeowners of all ages."
For more information about the new law and other foreclosure prevention resources, tips and events, call the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services at 866-814-9710 toll-free, or visit http://foreclosurehelp.oregon.gov/.
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Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors more than four decades ago – a national commitment to the idea that no one should have to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work. That’s why AARP is fighting to protect Medicare benefits for seniors and ensure our children and grandchildren have the health coverage they need when they retire.
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Sept. 24, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP Oregon State Director Jerry Cohen issued this statement applauding the tremendous bipartisan passage (a vote of 406 to 18) of the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” (H.R. 3631) today in the U.S. House:
“As health care costs continue to soar despite lower inflation throughout the economy, older Americans are hit particularly hard. Retirees have seen their savings wiped away by market losses while their health care bills continue to climb. People in Medicare today spend nearly a third of their income on health care. The lack of a cost-of-living u
“AARP applauds members of Congress – especially Oregon’s own Blumenauer, DeFazio, Schrader, Walden and Wu – for supporting this important legislation. By holding Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year – premiums that have doubled since 2000 – their bill will help ensure that health care is more affordable for people in Medicare, without burdening taxpayers or future generations with new spending.”
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Sept. 22, 2009
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Sept. 22, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: Jordan McNerney or David Allen at 202-434-2560
“The legislation under debate includes several key health reform provisions that AARP has been fighting for, including prohibiting insurers from discriminating based on health status or pre-existing conditions, strengthening Medicare by improving quality of care and cutting out fraud and abuse and substantially filling the so-called ‘doughnut hole’ for prescription drugs.”
- Placing a 2-1 limit on age rating;
- Ensuring that insurance premiums cannot exceed 10 percent of income; and
- Closing the doughnut hole for prescription drug coverage.
- Inadequate subsidies, which could impact the ability of millions of Americans to afford coverage;
- No provisions to help low-income Medicare enrollees; and
- Insufficient provisions to expand access to and strengthen home and community-based services (HCBS) to help people live independently.
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How heatlh care reforms would effect Medicare; controlling the rising costs of Medicare doesn't mean cutting benefts
AARP is fighting to protect Medicare benefits for seniors and ensure future generations have the health coverage they need when they retire.
We have made it clear to elected officials that we will fight with the strength of our 40 million members against any proposal to cut your benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs.
For more on proposed changes to Medicare, visit this new AARP Bulletin article. For more information on what health care reform may mean for you, go to www.aarp.org/getthefacts .
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Sept.16, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP comments on Senate Finance Committee health reform legislation
AARP Executive Vice President John Rother released this statement following today’s introduction of health care reform legislation in the Senate Finance Committee:
“Today’s legislation moves the process forward and we hope the Chairman and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle can continue to have a rational, informed debate about its provisions as the committee’s markup process begins.
“AARP is pleased that the bill focuses on keeping people healthy by eliminating out-of-pocket spending for important screenings and preventive services in Medicare, and by covering annual wellness visits for Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors to focus on prevention. Under the legislation, doctors would be rewarded for providing quality care instead of for the number of tests ordered—a critical step in ensuring patients receive the highest quality care.
“The bill also includes incentives to improve quality of care by providing bonuses to Medicare Advantage plans while reducing subsidies to MA plans, saving taxpayers billions in waste. It introduces a pilot program on follow-up care, an important component in reducing costly and preventable hospital readmissions. Finally, the bill eliminates yearly and lifetime limits on what insurance companies will pay and substantially fills the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole—a costly gap in prescription drug coverage.
“However, we continue to have concerns about provisions that would allow for large differences in premiums based on age that could leave millions of older Americans still unable to afford the coverage they need. We also are troubled by the lack of any provisions to improve benefits for people with limited incomes so they can afford Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and by the inclusion of an added premium tax that would raise prescription drug premiums on many middle-income working people in Medicare Part D.
“We look forward to working with Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Grassley and their colleagues in the coming weeks to pass a health care reform package that protects benefits for people in Medicare and works for every American.”
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