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AARP Applauds Congress for Focusing on Civic Engagement

AARP survey finds millions of boomers stand ready to increase their volunteer service

March 11, 2009

AARP today applauded the Senate and the House of Representatives for taking important steps on legislation that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities at a time when many Americans are in great need. A statement from AARP Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson on the Serve America Act (S. 277) and the G.I.V.E. Act (H.R. 1388) follows:

“AARP applauds Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Orrin Hatch and Representatives George Miller and Carolyn McCarthy for introducing bipartisan legislation that will usher in a new era of American service.

“AARP was founded on the principle of service. Today millions of people give back to their communities through either AARP or the AARP Foundation – helping others find work, access to benefits, get tax refunds, stay healthy and advocate on issues important to their families.

“Now is the time for movement on the Serve America Act, part of which is devoted to enhancing service opportunities for persons 50+, so they can apply a lifetime of acquired skills to help remedy a range of needs. AARP supports provisions that will improve the capacity of non-profit, service and philanthropic organizations to recruit, manage and engage more volunteers – including skilled volunteers – to help address people’s critical and growing service needs.

“During today’s House mark up of the G.I.V.E. Act, we strongly urge the House Committee on Education and Labor to support an amendment that includes the Volunteer Generation Fund and the Community Solutions Pilot. AARP believes this amendment is critical to local support and accountability, which allows existing service programs and service providers to effectively manage volunteers who heed the call to give back to their nation and the community.

“The 50+ community has the opportunity to lead the next generation of service: in a survey conducted for AARP last year, millions of boomers said that in the next five years, they want to increase their volunteer service to improve their communities and our world. Boomers stand ready to give, ready to do more, and ready to, as AARP’s founder said, ‘create the good.’

“AARP looks forward to working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to improve how our country addresses its greatest problems by using its greatest resource – the American people.”

Added: March 11, 2009
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A Look at the Legislative Session

AARP represents 102,457 members in Wyoming at the State Capitol

Wyoming’s 2009 General Legislative Session is now complete. AARP staff and volunteer advocates were at the Capitol fighting for issues important to our members. Here is a quick summary of some of the bills we followed this session.

AARP and C-WISH successfully lobbied for two bills that protect health insurance customers. One new law prevents health insurance companies from denying a customer’s claim at their discretion. Previously, insurance companies could refuse to pay for coverage – even if the procedure is advertised as being included in the health insurance plan. The second new law allows people to dispute a rejected insurance claim through an independent medical review panel. Wyoming was one of only six states that did not provide a means for customers to appeal decisions made by their health insurance company.

We were disappointed to see two important health care bills die during the session. One would have provided coverage on a sliding-fee scale to 500 low-income Wyoming workers who can’t afford to pay for health insurance. Another would have expanded the KidCare program to provide health insurance for an additional 3,700 low-income children at a time when more and more Wyoming families are losing access to employer-sponsored health insurance. The expansion would have matched recent legislation passed by Congress and would have only cost the state $94,000 per year. We hope the Legislature will reconsider these proposals next year.

AARP also supported two long-term care bills that became law. One provides Riverton with a planning grant to pursue a Green House, an alternative form of long-term care. Sheridan, Lovell and Jackson received similar assistance in 2007. The other new law establishes a system to help people navigate the purchase of long-term care insurance. The law also allows residents who fall below certain income limits to qualify for a Medicaid supplement to their private long-term care insurance plan. Previously, low-income residents with private insurance could not receive assistance even if their insurance plan didn’t cover the cost of their long-term care.

We were pleased that the Legislature provided an additional $1.5 million to the state’s public transit system, which operates the senior transportation network, an essential part of ensuring that people have access to health care in our rural, sparsely-populated state.

More than a dozen property tax bills failed to become law during these turbulent financial times. AARP believes property tax breaks should be based on financial need and not age alone. We also believe that the health and longevity of the state’s overall tax-base needs to be analyzed and carefully weighed when any property tax reduction or program is considered, especially when state revenues are declining. Wyoming offers sales and property tax assistance through the Tax Rebate to the Elderly and Disabled (TREAD) program and we encourage anyone who thinks they or someone they know may qualify to contact their local senior center for an application.

More details on these bills, the new state statutes (laws) and other legislative information are available at http://legisweb.state.wy.us .

We have additional information on our Web site at www.aarp.org/wy . If you are interested in getting involved in the legislative process, we encourage you to contact us at wy@aarp.org or 1-866-663-3290.

Added: March 6, 2009
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Home heating help available until Saturday

If you or someone you know needs help heating their home, please read the important message below from the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

People Urged to Apply for LIEAP Today

The state’s home heating help program is still accepting applications, but only until Saturday (Feb. 28, 2009).

“We’ve seen thousands and thousands of applications for, but we know there are folks who can benefit from the program and haven’t yet applied,” said Wyoming Family Services spokesperson Juliette Rule.

The official LIEAP application closing date is Saturday, Feb. 28 and applications must be post-marked on or before that date. The program helps single people, families and elders pay part of their home heating bills through May.

“There’s still benefit in applying,” Rule said. “We can’t emphasize that enough.”

LIEAP applications can be found at http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/lieap/lieap.html, at senior centers and local DFS offices throughout the state.

Mail completed applications to LIEAP, 2300 Capitol Ave., Third Floor Hathaway, Cheyenne, WY 82002 or fax application and supporting documentation to 307-777-6276.

Call LIEAP at 1-800-246-4221 before 5 p.m. Friday (Feb. 27, 2009) for more information.

Added: February 26, 2009
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Help your loved ones pick a prescription drug plan

Thanksgiving is a great time to talk with Medicare recipients in your family about their prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan) Open Enrollment takes place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, 2008. Open enrollment is the time when Medicare recipients should review their options and choose to renew or change plans.

If your loved one fell into the gap in coverage, known as the "donut hole," they may want to consider switching to a different plan that covers some of their medications while they are in the gap.

There are 48 plans available in Wyoming for 2009. You can compare plans online at http://www.medicare.gov or by contacting your local Wyoming Senior Health Insurance Information Program office at 1-800-856-4398. Either option can provide you with general details about the 48 plans or give you a customized report that identifies the best options for your loved one.

Remember: changes must be made before Dec. 31, 2008.

And, if your loved one is struggling to pay for their prescription drugs, ask about the LIS program or contact the Wyoming Health Department's pharmacy program (1-866-571-0944) to see if your loved one qualifies for a prescription drug assistance program -- several are available.

Added: November 20, 2008
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AARP National Spelling Bee

The 14th annual AARP National Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, June 20, 2009 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Spellers must be 50 years old or older on the day of the Bee, and must not be a previous winner of the Bee. It's a fun way to challenge your mind.

For more information about the Bee, visit http://www.aarp.org/spellingbee or call the AARP Wyoming office at 1-866-663-3290. Happy spelling!

Added: November 20, 2008
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