AARP: Fighting for California

The is currently being battered by a severe recession affecting AARP members and threatening the critical health and long-term care services on which they depend.  The number of uninsured has increased to the highest level in recent years – 45.7 million Americans are uninsured, 7.2 million of the uninsured adults are ages 50-64.  State revenue shortfalls, when coupled with increasing unemployment rates, have created a huge demand for more state programs and services at a time when states can least afford it.  And, state lawmakers are facing incredible challenges to keep states functioning until the economy turns around.  

AARP is especially concerned about possible cuts to programs like Medicaid and other health and long-term care services to those with low incomes, seniors, and person with disabilities— our most vulnerable citizens. Since Medicaid is a significant portion of state budgets, it is, unfortunately, a likely target for cuts.  Protecting services to these populations is a high priority for AARP members in every state, especially since Medicaid is the backbone of our long-term care system and those relying on home and community-based services. 

AARP continues to fight for its members and preserve critical services. AARP California plans to continue to be deeply involved in governmental reforms. Having worked in 2008 to reform how legislative districts are created by winning a ballot measure to have a citizen’s commission involved, AARP California will fight this election year an open primary measure to assure broader involvement in our electoral process. In addition, AARP will continue fighting to preserve vital programs for home and community based care.

AARP Contact Information

California:  Director; TPorter@aarp.org; (916) 556-3030

Washington, DC: Greg Wang, Senior Legislative Representative; GWang@aarp.org; (202) 434-3742

References

Strengthening Social Security: Social Security Administration, 2007. OASDI Beneficiaries by State and County.

Protecting Medicare: The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2008. State Health Facts. http://www.statehealthfacts.org/

Improving Health Care: Doughnut hole: AARP (PPI) Fact Sheet, 2009. “Closing the ‘Doughnut Hole’ Will Help Protect Over One-Third of Medicare Beneficiaries from High Drug Costs”

Improving Health Care: Uninsured 50-64: Census Bureau. Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2007 through 2009

Improving Health Care: Home and Community-Based Services: AARP PPI, 2009. Across the States: Profiles of Long-term Care and Independent Living.

Supporting Caregivers: AARP PPI, 2008. Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Caregiving, 2008 Update.

Promoting Retirement Savings: Based on data from the US Census, State and Patterns & Current Populations Survey statistics on Pension Coverage. 2004.