Rising home energy prices are squeezing household budgets, especially for those with low and fixed incomes.  Recently hundreds of consumers attended a day-long program hosted by AARP and the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) focusing on various ways consumers can reduce their energy and utility costs this winter.    

The event held at the African American Museum in Philadelphia , also provided needed community outreach opportunities for social service agencies, and advocates who promote access and awareness to help improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians. Workshop attendees received on site assistance with public benefit applications and programs for local energy assistance.

“People living on a tight budget and older people living alone are often the most likely to be in need this winter, and every dollar saved can make a big impact,” says Maureen Mckoy, Associate State Director, AARP Pennsylvania. “AARP continues to empower its members and the communityto help tackle the burdens of high energy costs,” adds Mckoy. 

Currently, potential changes in Pennsylvania electric utility rates could result in electric bills increasing by over 35 percent during the next two years, and AARP strongly believes that all consumers must be able to rely on essential utility services that are affordable and available to all households. AARP recently conducted a survey asking Americans 45 and older how rising energy costs have impacted their day-to-day lives.  Nearly 75 percent of those surveyed reported a rise in their home heating and cooling costs over the last year; nearly half (46 percent) are heating and/or cooling only certain parts of their homes. Older adults are especially vulnerable as energy prices continue rising, in part because they already spend a far greater proportion of their income on home energy costs than younger households. Research shows that when energy prices increase, households headed by older adults often keep their homes at unsafe temperatures or skimp on paying for other necessities.

AARP has used these findings, other data, and our experience with our members to achieve greater volunteer and civic engagement participation in these difficult economic times.  The effort called “Create the Good” is a way for people to make a difference and help improve the lives of their neighbors. Operation Energy Save, part of “Create the Good”, was created for individuals and community groups to help friends, family, and neighbors conserve energy by sharing a checklist of tips that have been proven to reduce energy costs.

In November of 2008, nearly 600 AARP members and advocates took action via emails and phone calls to hold PA Health Care accountable through an independent health watchdog group.  Governor Rendell subsequently issued an executive order to maintain operations of the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council, as its charter had expired in June of 2008. 

Legislation has been introduced in the state Senate and House that would reauthorize the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council.   Senate Bill 89 has been introduced by state Sen. Pat Vance; House Bill 173 has been introduced by House Majority Leader Todd Eachus. The council's work is essential to the mission of lowering health-care costs and improving quality of care. This independent state agency has been nationally recognized for its accomplishments, particularly the effort to help reduce hospital-acquired infections.

AARP Pennsylvania Launches Toll Free Help Line To Aid Consumers During DTV Transition

Many Americans may find that some of their TV stations are no long available as they undergo the switch from analog to digital signals. AARP continues to educate older Americans and their families about the steps they must take to prepare for the transition, and now is operating a national DTV call center individuals may call for personal assistance.

 “AARP is committed to providing relevant and important information to our members and their families to make this transition as easy and affordable as possible,” said AARP Pennsylvania State Director **** Chevrefils. “Through a contract from the Federal Communications Commission, we are able to provide trained operators, implement a toll-free number and run a center that individuals can call for information and help as they prepare for the transition in their homes.”  

Many older Americans depend on television for critical news and safety information, and may face significant challenges when television signals become exclusively digital. In conjunction with an ongoing education campaign, AARP has established a toll-free phone number consumers can call.

• Individuals can call 1-877-698-8068 to speak with a trained operator who can answer their DTV questions.
• Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST.
• Spanish-language operators are available as well.
• The national DTV call center will be in operation through March 31, 2009.

“We look forward to helping as many consumers as possible in the transition process,” Chevrefils said.

For more information about AARP and the DTV transition please visit: www.aarp.org/dtv .

AARP Pennsylvania: Stimulus Is First Step Toward Restoring Long-Term Financial Security For Older Americans

AARP Tracks “Key Vote” on Government Watch For 40 Million Members

Harrisburg, PA – In a historic and critical vote, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Designated as a “key vote” by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, the elected officials’ votes will be posted on AARP’s Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so that individuals across the nation can see how their elected official voted on this legislation.

Following the vote, AARP Pennsylvania State Director Richard Chevrefils released the following statement:

“Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals have forced every American 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 Americans young and old and a vital jump start to our ailing economy.

“While this landmark legislation is crucial to addressing our nation’s most pressing issues today, many critical issues remain, including bolstering and securing the housing market, protecting homeowners from foreclosure and jumpstarting the credit markets. As an organization that regularly works with both sides of the aisle, we are hopeful for bipartisan solutions to these issues as Congress and the new administration move forward.

“The bill contains many provisions that we believe are paramount to promoting economic growth, assisting those most affected by the economic crisis, and providing the foundation for meeting critical needs, such as health care and the development of livable communities. Among the provisions we agree are especially needed are:

·          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.

·          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.

·          An increase in the Weatherization Assistance Program to help low-income and older couples reduce their energy costs.

·          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.

·          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.”

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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The AARP Pennsylvania 2008 Year-End Report is now available online!

Learn more about the projects, the work, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers and staff at:

http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/pa2008yearend.pdf

AARP CEO Bill Novelli joined President Barack Obama at the White House for his signing of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Novelli’s statement follows:

“President Obama and the Congress today fulfilled two important promises – long overdue relief for working families who struggle to keep their kids healthy, and hope that partisanship will not stand in the way of a bigger effort to reform our broken health care system.

“Keeping all American children healthy is vital for the future of our country. Ensuring their access to checkups, immunizations and urgent care will mean more of our kids grow up to be healthy adults, lifting a financial burden off our families and our health care system.

“The funding for this program shows that health reform can be a win-win for the country. By using a tax on tobacco, we are not only keeping kids healthier now, but also protecting their long-term health by discouraging smoking – a habit that causes deadly, costly and largely preventable diseases.

“Our leaders have shown the political will to make progress on health reform. Today represents more of a start than a finish – we must keep pushing to fix the health care system that squeezes all Americans and their employers.

“We can’t give in to the doubters who say health reform is impossible, just as we can’t give in to the complacent who believe it is inevitable.

“While we are disappointed that an issue so clearly important as children’s health insurance was subject to some of the partisan rancor that has prevented progress in the past, we applaud the lawmakers who chose to work through their differences. We now need more of that commitment to fix our entire health care system.

“Today, our leaders proved they understand what Americans have known for years: the cost of doing nothing is just too great.”
 

More than 50 red-shirted Western PA volunteers traveled to the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh on January 13^th to witness the signing of a DWF pledge card by County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.  

At the courthouse event, Onorato, who is widely considered a frontrunner to succeed Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, praised AARP for bringing together elected officials, organizations and individuals to focus on fixing the nation’s healthcare and financial systems.  

In addition to AARP volunteers, the event was attended by a broad range of community partners, including local SEIU representatives.

Later in the day, volunteers met with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who also proclaimed January 13^th as AARP Divided We Fail Day in the city.

AARP PA Wins Ruling for Expanded Low-Income Phone Service

Pennsylvania ’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) ruled in favor of a complaint by AARP Pennsylvania and other consumer advocacy organizations that will help seniors and other low-income customers receive expanded telephone services. Last summer, AARP Pennsylvania and others filed formal complaints against Verizon PA and Verizon North alleging that the companies violated the law by preventing Lifeline 135 customers from subscribing to any additional telephone services other than basic local and long distance calling. The Lifeline 135 program provides a discount on monthly local phone service for customers who participate in certain public assistance programs or who have income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The PUC ruling means Verizon must offer Lifeline 135 customers an opportunity to subscribe to bundled telephone packages beyond basic local and long distance calling services.  

Thank you to all the great volunteers who helped with the 2008 Presents for Patients program.  Our AARP volunteers and friends brought a little holiday cheer to over 1,400 nursing home residents in southwestern Pennsylvania.  We look forward to another rewarding year with the program in 2009. 

If you want to learn more about this program, please call Kelly Altmire in the AARP Pittsburgh office toll-free at 1-866-389-5654 or directly at 724-940-3316.  This is a great year-round community service project that has something for everyone.  Thank you again for your warm holiday spirit and Happy New Year!