Friendly Roads
To make it easier for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities to share the roads in Arkansas, AARP cosponsored "walking audits" in five cities this fall.
Led by Dan Burden, executive director of the nonprofit Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, the audits were conducted in El Dorado, Harrison, North Little Rock, Siloam Springs and Springdale. Burden also met with community leaders and local residents to discuss the audit results and ways to overcome barriers to active living.
For more on how the AARP state office is helping communities become more livable, visit aarp.org/ar.
Medicaid Makeover
With the state's Medicaid program facing shortfalls of up to $320 million in fiscal year 2013 and $1 billion in 2014, AARP is meeting with policymakers to discuss how to transform the program to make it sustainable and possibly a model for other states.
Medicaid serves about 66,000 Arkansans age 65 and older. AARP is on the state's long-term care work group and is championing ways to preserve the program. The goal is to lower health care costs without cutting benefits. One possibility is to design a payment system that rewards quality care that is patient-centered and efficient.
When lawmakers head back to the Capitol in January, they are likely to debate various proposals to revitalize the program. To stay informed about AARP's advocacy on the issue, visit aarp.org/ar.
Lifelong Security
In a state where more than 635,000 people rely on Social Security and more than 536,000 depend on Medicare, AARP volunteers are speaking out to prevent cuts to these programs.
Volunteers personally delivered petitions signed by more than 10,000 Arkansans to the district offices of the state's members of Congress. In addition, an AARP Arkansas delegation visited all four of the state's U.S. representatives in Washington, D.C.
Stay informed about AARP Arkansas' efforts to protect Social Security and Medicare and find out how you can help by visiting aarp.org/ar.
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