Kentucky Volunteer Delivers Message to Congress

More about AARP Kentucky’s work supporting health reform is available in our Online Community.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was President the last time Melba Ray traveled to Washington D.C. In July, now 50 years later and at age 67, the retired nurse and educator packed her bags to deliver a message to members of Congress. An active citizen advocate, Ray returned to D.C. with a new mission—a prescription for health care reform. But, this time, she packed her laptop and digital camera.

Ray used the power of social networking sites to post reports from D.C. on Facebook and the AARP Online Community pages. She was selected from hundreds of applicants to be one of 100 AARP volunteer advocates going to Capitol Hill pushing for health action now. She spoke directly with Kentucky’s members of Congress and made the case for comprehensive health reform and closing Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit gap—the “doughnut hole”.

“I can’t believe I'm made it back to D.C.! I've been wanting to ever since my senior class went there in the spring of '59. I’ve been wishing for a chance to take that trip over again, it’s like the movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” said Ray. Across the country, AARP organized hundreds of members like Ray for a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill in support of the Association’s call for health reform.

Ray posted reports and photos to her Facebook page and AARP Community pages as her return trip to Washington unfolded so friends, family and the public could follow her dream come true.

Melba didn’t get to meet with President Obama, but they delivered their message to Kentucky’s congressional delegation asking for their support of health care reform. “I’ve been blessed with a good pension and health care plan, but too many of my friends on Medicare are struggling to pay for their prescription drugs. I know thing are going to get worse unless congress and the President find common sense solutions,” said Ray.