FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2009

Contact

Jim Dau or Jordan McNerney

202-434-2560

AARP to Congress: Don’t Make Medicare More Expensive

Association fighting proposals that would unfairly burden people in Medicare

WASHINGTON —AARP CEO Barry Rand today wrote to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, urging Congress to find ways to pay for comprehensive health care reforms beyond the Medicare savings already announced that will improve the program’s efficiency.  In a letter to Chairman Waxman, Rand applauded the committee’s reported compromise agreement for “hold[ing] the line on additional Medicare savings.”  Rand emphasized that AARP members would not support legislation that finances reform through higher out-of-pocket costs or reduced benefits for people in Medicare.

“AARP cannot support any efforts to target Medicare beneficiaries for increased cost-sharing or other benefit cuts,” Rand wrote.  “In addition, we cannot support backdoor attempts to finance health care reform through increases in beneficiary costs or reductions in benefits, for example, through use of commissions or other process mechanisms.”

Rand noted that people in Medicare today already spend, on average, nearly 30 percent of their income on out-of-pocket health care costs, restating the Association’s fight against proposals that would unfairly burden people in Medicare.

Rand added: “We know you share the position, expressed by the President in his July 22 press conference—and reiterated this week in AARP’s own tele-town hall—that health reform will not result in less generous Medicare benefits.”

AARP has reassured its members that proposals it has reviewed so far to save money in Medicare will not raise their out-of-pocket costs or reduce access to care.  AARP has urged Congress to find smart Medicare savings, such as reducing payments to private insurers in Medicare, lowering drug costs and preventing avoidable hospital readmissions.

In the letter, Rand applauded the Energy and Commerce Committee’s compromise agreement, which reportedly retains many of the key priorities of AARP’s members, including closing the Part D doughnut hole, strictly limiting age-rating and creating subsidies to help more Americans purchase their choice of coverage.

“We are pleased the House bill retains a stricter 2 to 1 limit on how much more insurers can charge older Americans for premiums,” Rand wrote.  “In addition, we are pleased that the House Energy and Commerce bill still provides sliding-scale subsidies up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.  These subsidies are essential to making certain our members can afford coverage and not pay an unfair percentage of their incomes for health care expenses.”

For more information about AARP’s Health Action Now campaign, please visit www.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 35.5 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.

 

 

 

Bundle of six health screenings are valued at more than $140 

 

 

The “AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour” rolls in to Washington State in June, as part of a 3,000-community, two-year national mobile health screening tour with a goal of providing more than $60 million worth of free health screenings. The tour aims to administer more than 2.5 million free screenings and is comprised of nine custom-equipped buses with dedicated staffs of Walgreens’ trained medical technicians.

 

The tour will include 25 stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and the Tri-Cities. Join us to receive six free screenings that take place inside the customized vehicle and include total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index. Collectively the six health screenings (available for adults 18 and over) are worth more than $140 in value.

 

The services will provide adults with a critical foundation for early disease detection, and no appointment is necessary. Visitors will have access to free educational information on a variety of health and wellness issues that are available in both English and Spanish. Free, one-year AARP memberships will also be given to all adults who receive screenings. Participants under the age of 50 can pass on the free membership to an eligible adult, and existing members will receive a one-year extension on their current membership status.

 

A complete schedule of all Washington State stops is copied below, and attached here as a printable PDF file: assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/walgreens_tour_schedule.pdf

 

You can also call 1-866-484-8687 for more information. 

 

 

Tour Schedule / Washington State

 

·         June 18, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 2521 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660

 

·         June 19, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 1905 S.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98683

 

·         June 20, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 2903 N.E. Andresen Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661

 

·         June 21, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 6105 N.E. 114th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662

 

·         June 22, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 9812 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver, WA 98665

 

·         June 25, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 5409 15th Ave., N.W., Seattle, WA 98107

 

·         June 26, 2009 / 1 PM - 8 PM       Seattle Storm Basketball Game- Key Arena, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

 

·         June 27, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 2400 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144

 

·         June 28, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 4412 Rainier Ave., S., Seattle, WA 98118

 

·         June 29, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM        Walgreens, 9456 16th Ave., S.W., Seattle, WA 98106

 

·         July 2, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM          Walgreens, 3737 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98418

 

·         July 3, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM          Walgreens, 15225 Pacific Ave., S., Tacoma, WA 98444

 

·         July 4, 2009 / 10 AM - 6 PM        Tacoma Freedom Fair- Rustin Way Waterfront, 759 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402

 

·         July 5, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM          Walgreens, 8405 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98444

 

·         July 6, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM          Walgreens, 9505 Bridgeport Way, S.W., Tacoma, WA 98499

 

·         July 16, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 12 E. Empire Ave., Spokane, WA 99207

 

·         July 17, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 7905 N. Division St., Spokane, WA 99208

 

·         July 18, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 2105 E. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA 99207

 

·         July 19, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 12312 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216

 

·         July 20, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 15510 E. Sprague Ave., Verdale, WA 99037

 

·         July 23, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 1601 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354

 

·         July 24, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 2800 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336

 

·         July 25, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 2005 W. Court St., Pasco, WA 99301

 

·         July 26, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 585 Gage Blvd., Richland, WA 99352

 

·         July 27, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM         Walgreens, 4000 W. 27th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99337

 

 

For Immediate Release

July 23, 2009

Contact:

Jim Dau or Hillary John

202-434-2560

jdau@aarp.org or hjohn@aarp.org

AARP Reacts to Senate Decision to Put Off Health Care Reform Vote

Washington – AARP today reacted to the Senate’s decision to put off voting on health care reform legislation until after the August recess.  A statement from AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond follows:

“AARP is disappointed in the failure to reach agreement on passing comprehensive health care reform until after the August recess.  The millions of people impacted by high drug costs and those that can’t get adequate health insurance because of age or a pre-existing condition need help now.  An August of waiting will not lower costs, increase access or improve quality.  Few understand the enormous challenge of this task better than AARP.  We have been working to reform health care for more than 50 years and we know this is difficult.  But Congress needs to get this done.  American families simply cannot afford Washington’s stalemate any longer.”

ABOUT AARP

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 35.5 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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July 15, 2009

Contact
AARP Media Relations
202-434-2560

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

WASHINGTON—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.”

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 35.5 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2009

Contact
AARP Media Relations
202-434-2560

AARP on House TriComm Health Care Reform Bill

“This bill would make great strides for all of our members and their families.”

WASHINGTON—AARP CEO Barry Rand released the following statement following the introduction of health care reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives from Chairmen Charles Rangel, Henry Waxman and George Miller.

“We are pleased by the House TriCommittee’s health care reform bill, which makes important strides towards making sure that every American has access to affordable, quality health care choices.

“Those without access to employer sponsored plans face serious roadblocks that block affordable insurance choices based on their age and health status. Those of our members in Medicare pay close to 30% of their incomes on out-of-pocket expenses and they deserve relief, especially in the prescription drug doughnut hole, where they get no benefit while paying premiums.

“This bill would make great strides for all of our members and their families.

“It would help abolish those insurance market practices that keep people on the outside looking in based only on their age and health status. It recognizes that expanding coverage means little if a person can’t afford it, providing meaningful relief to those with modest incomes and capping out-of-pocket expenses for plans in the Exchange.

“The House TriCommittee bill would also close over time the Medicare prescription drug ‘doughnut hole’—a major concern for our members.

“We look forward to working with Chairmen Rangel, Waxman and Miller, as well as their colleagues in both parties and both chambers of Congress to build on current momentum and enact comprehensive health care reform in 2009.”

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.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 35.5 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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