AARP for AARP

Welfare WEL

Lobbied against cuts to SNAP. (no bill) Discussed AARP's opposed re-opening any portion of the enacted 2014 Farm Bill. (no bill) S. 2100, Discussed a bill to raise the tobacco age to 21. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for needs-based nutrition, social services and home energy assistance and SSA operations. Also lobbied to prevent inclusion of policy riders, including a provision which would restrict DOL rulemaking regarding its conflict of interest rule. H.R. 3779, Sent letter of support to prevent fraudulent use of Social Security numbers. Sent letter to White House for FY 2017 budget request. Sent comments to SSA regarding age as a factor on disability determinations.

Contacted: SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Treasury, Dept of; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office

Bills named: H.R. 2029 (114th), S. 2100 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.R. 3779 (114th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Discussed the Medical Expense Tax Deduction. (no bill) H.R.1397, S.716, Seniors Tax Simplication Act - Discussed legislation regarding the bill. Discussed proposed tax credit for family caregivers with House and Senate staff. H.R. 3590, Discussed the Halt Tax Increases for Seniors Act.

Contacted: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); SENATE; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

Bills named: H.R. 1397 (114th), S. 716 (114th), H.R. 3590 (114th)

Government Issues GOV

Discussed increasing senior representation in CDC studies and supported public participation in samples. (no bill) AARP opposed House/Senate proposals to cut SNAP and Health Disparities interventions. (no bill)

Contacted: Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Treasury, Dept of; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)

Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD

Discussed pending negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and intellectual property chapter provisions on pharmaceuticals.

Contacted: White House Office; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

H.R.1090, Retail Investor Protection Act - Sent letter in opposition to the Retail Investor Protection Act. Met with SEC staff and Chair to discuss imposing a fiduciary duty on borker/dealers. Met SEC staff to discuss industry user fees as a method to fund the periodic examination of registered investment advisors. (no bill) Met with DOL and Administration staff to discuss updating the fiduciary standard under ERISA. Discussed regulatory reform with Senate Banking Committee staff. (no bill) Discussed potential SEC and DOL fiduciary duty rules with Senate Banking Committee staff. AARP testified on the DOL fiduciary rule proposal. Discussed insider trading issue with Congressional staff. (no bill) H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res. 11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to prevent delay in DOL and SEC rulemaking on fiduciary duty. Financial Services and General Government Appropriation, 2016 - Lobbied to prevent delay in rulemaking on fiduciary duty and against efforts to subject CFPB from annual appropriations review. Discussed elder fraud and abuse and telemarketing fraud with Senate Aging Committee staff. Discussed regulatory reform with Senate staff. (no bill) H.R. 2029, H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Treasury, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

Bills named: H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), H.R. 1090 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

Discussed AARP opposition to requiring additional information of voter registrants under NVRA. (no bill) Discussed AARP opposition to unnecessary citizenship documentation of registrants. (no bill) Discussed supporting the right to vote amendment. (no bill) Discussed AARP opposition to conduct of Elections bills that would terminate the Election Assistance Commission. (no bill) Sent letter of endorsement on the Voting Rights Act Amendment. (no bill) Met with EEOC Commissioners and staff regarding age discrimination issues. S. 2180, Communicated with congressional staff regarding support for the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Communicated with congressional staff regarding the EEOC's proposed regulations on workplace wellness programs.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); White House Office; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Social Security Administration (SSA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Treasury, Dept of; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bills named: S. 2180 (114th)

Transportation TRA

H.R. 22, Discussed transportation issues for the reauthorization of MAP-21. AARP interests include increasing safe access and funding for transportation options for older adults and people of all ages; specifically public transportation (including rural, senior and disabled, and human services), and non-motorized transportation. AARP interests also include older driver and pedestrian safety, including roadway planning and design to accommodate all users; and strengthening the connections between transportation and land use planning. H.R. 22, Discussed Safe Streets Act to ensure that new or improved federally-funded roadways are planned, designed, operated and maintained to safely accommodate all users. H.R. 22, Discussed Rural Transportation in support for increased access for rural older adults. H.R. 22,Discussed Human services transportation coordination in support for strengthening human services transportation coordination. (no bill) Discussed pedestrian safety in support for DOT initiative to increase safety for non-motorized users. (no bill) H.R. 22, Sent letters thanking House and Senate Champions for supporting Safe Streets in the FAST Act manager's bill for Sen. Commerce Committee markup. H.R. 22, Sent letter to conferees urging inclusion of Senate Safe Streets amendment in FAST Act. H.R. 22, S. 1732, Discussed including the Schatz-Heller amendment in DRIVE Act with Senate staff. H.R. 2029, H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Lobbied to protect funding levels for various transportation programs serving seniors. H.R. 3763, Urged support of Curbelo-Titus pedestrian safety amendment to Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2015. H.R. 2071, Discussed Safe Streets Act to ensure that new or improved federally-funded roadways are planned, designed, operated and maintained to safely accommodate all users.

Contacted: Treasury, Dept of; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); White House Office; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Bills named: H.R. 22 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), S. 1732 (114th), H.R. 2071 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.R. 3763 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th)

Retirement RET

H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Discussed potential DOL and SEC fiduciary duty rules and met with Senate and House staff members. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Discussed industry user fees as a method to fund the periodic examination of registered investment advisors. (no bill) H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Lobbied in favor of the DOL moving forward with a rulemaking to eliminate conflicts of interest in financial advice provided to individulas saving for their retirment in an ERISA plan. Lobbied in favor of the Administration supporting state-based retirement savings solutions. (no bill) H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Sent letter to Members of Congress on the Social Security rules change in the House Budget Resolution. H.R. 1314, Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015, Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors, including lobbying to urge Congress to reallocate OASDI funding to SSDI trust funds without imposing barriers to claims processing or reduction of benefits. Met with Senate staff on Social Security, SSDI and retirement security issues, multiemployer pension issues, fiduciary duty issues and retirement fees. S. 245, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - Met with Senate staff on the Automatic IRA Act of 2015. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Met with House staff on SSDI and SSDI related budget issues, multiemployer pensions, and retirement issues. (no bill) Met with Treasury Department staff on MyRA. (no bill) Met with PBGC staff on multiemployer pensions and other retirement plan issues. (no bill) Met with Treasury, DOL, and PBGC staff on multiemployer pensions. (no bill) Discussed state retirement issues with DOL and White House staff. (no bill) Met with SSA staff about Social Security Administration issues. (no bill) Met with PBGC Participant Advocate about retirement issues. (no bill) S.Con.Res.11/H.Con.Res.27, Budget Resolution, FY2016 - Lobbied to prevent inclusion of any Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Lobbied to enhance SSA program integrity funding without compromising SSA service delivery for all earned benefits. (no bill) Discussed measures to increase pension coverage and improve retirement savings. (no bill) H.R. 5306, Discussed Social Security 2100 Act. H.R. 1090, Sent letter in opposition to the Retail Investor Protection Act. Submitted comments to Treasury and PBGC on proposed rules under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. S. 2110, Met with Senate staff on the Womens Pension Protection Act. Met with OMB, DOL and Treasury on the DOL proposed rule on state retirement initiatives. H.R. 2317, Discussed and submitted a letter in support of the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. Discussed SSDI, included in H.R. 1314. H.R. 3779, Discussed bill that would restrict the inclusion of social security account numbers on documents sent in the mail by federal government. Lobbied against riders to defund or delay DOL fiduciary rule during appropriations process.

Contacted: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Social Security Administration (SSA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Bills named: H.R. 1314 (114th), S. 2110 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), S. 245 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.R. 5306 (114th), H.R. 2317 (114th), H.R. 3779 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), H.R. 1090 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th)

Telecommunications TEC

Filed comment letter on the Internet Protocol transition technology. (no bill) Met with FCC to highlight priorities in 2015 in the CGB's jurisdiction including 911/public safety and IP transition issues. (no bill) Discussed possible strategies to support Lifeline. (no bill) Attended FCC meeting on Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements. PS Docket No.07-114 Attended FCC meeting on Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet. (no bill) S. 1759, Sent letter of support for the Phone Scam Prevention Act.

Contacted: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Treasury, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: S. 1759 (114th)

Health Issues HCR

Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to expand Medicaid. H.R. 2, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Discussed Sustainable Growth Rate with Hill staffers. Discussed Medicare Supplemental Insurance with Hill staffers. (no bill) Discussed the Affordable Care Act with Hill staffers. (no bill) Discussed Medicare Advantage with Hill staffers. (no bill) S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect various programs serving Americans age 50 and above, including employment training, health and human services, and energy assistance for seniors, the disabled and other low-income assistance. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking. H.R. 2570, Strengthening Medicare Advantage through Innovation and Transparency for Seniors of 2015 - staff discussions. H.R. 2581, Preservation of Access for Seniors in Medicare Advantage Act of 2015 - staff discussion. H.R. 588, Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 - staff discussions. Sent email communication about AARP paper on generic drug prices. Sent email communication on the 21st Century Cures legislation. Sent invitation for the AARP Foundation and Feeding Americas Facing Hunger After Fifty briefing. HR 1270, S.709 - Restoring Access to Medication Act - meetings, calls and emails urging support. H.R. 3590, Helping Every American Limit Their Health Expenses Act - Provided feedback to members offices. S.1397, Value Based Insurance Design Seniors Copayment Reduction Act of 2015 - met with Senate Finance Committee D and R Staff and spoke with personal staff on both sides. Reached out to W&M staff on Cadillac Tax. Provided feedback to staff on draft bill to provide safe harbor to HSA use in high-deductible health plans. Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) S. 192, Discussed Older Americans Act reauthorization legislation. Discussed older worker employment programs including the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) under the Older Americans Act. Discussed nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). H.R.1220, S.624, Discussed the removing barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. H.R. 815, Discussed Access to Professional Health Insurance Act of 2015.

Contacted: SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); White House Office; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Treasury, Dept of; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Social Security Administration (SSA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Bills named: H.J.Res. 78 (114th), S. 709 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), H.R. 2 (114th), H.R. 1270 (114th), H.R. 1220 (114th), H.R. 2570 (114th), H.R. 2581 (114th), H.R. 588 (114th), H.R. 815 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.R. 3590 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 192 (114th), S. 624 (114th), S. 1397 (114th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

H.R. 2005, S. 1083, Medicare Drugs Savings Act, Discussed legislation to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. H.R. 919, S.522, Childrens's Health Insurance Program - Discussed Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension. Discussed Medicare coverage of hearing aids. (no bill) Discussed changes to the Medicare benefit design, such as copays, premiums, and deductibles.(no bill) Discussed Medicare health information technology, data transparency, and Qualifying Entities. (no bill) Discussed health care quality and measurement. (no bill) H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect vital health and social services programs, and to prevent repeal of certain financial and healthcare legislation. Discussed structural changes to Medicaid. (no bill) S. 1549, Care Planning Act, Discussed the bill which provides for advanced illness care coordination services. Discussed family caregiver assessment in Medicaid home and community-based services with CMS and guidance to states on the issue.(no bill) Discussed Medicare telemedicine policy. Discussed Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles in 2016. Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes (no bill number). Discussed legislation (no bill) to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. H.R. 2624, S. 1488, Discussed the Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act, a bill that would allow seniors to appeal the placement of their medications on a Medicare Part D specialty tier. Discussed Medicare Part D fraud and abuse legislation including lock-in provisions for high risk enrollees (no bill). Wrote to CMS in support of the second initiative of Washington State's proposed 1115 waiver. (no bill) S. 1719, Discussed family caregiving, home and community-based services, Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration, and Balancing Incentives Payments Program. (no bill) Signed onto letter to CMS to request a revision in Medicaid policy to eliminate coverage gaps in home and community-based services in accord with a recent federal court ruling (CMS). (no bill) PL 114-42, Called into NOTICE Act CMS town hall meeting. Discussed Medicaid personal care services in Oregon and California with GAO. (no bill) Discussed Spurring and Environment for Telehealth Innovation Act of 2015. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid managed long-term services and supports in states with GAO. (no bill) Provided feedback on draft Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act (H.R. 4059, S. 2297) and Compassionate Care Act (no bill). H.R. 3298, Provided feedback on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act. H.R. 2029, Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Talked with Hill staff about possible Medicare Advantage provisions.

Contacted: Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Social Security Administration (SSA); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: S. 2297 (114th), H.R. 3298 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), H.R. 2005 (114th), H.R. 4059 (114th), S. 1719 (114th), S. 1083 (114th), S. 1488 (114th), S. 522 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.R. 919 (114th), H.R. 2624 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), S. 1549 (114th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Lobbied on House/Senate Budget proposals to cut SNAP funding in FY 2016 or block grant funds to states. (no bill) Discussed Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act and other items regarding FY 2016 federal budget proposals. (no bill) H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors. H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors, and in opposition of policy riders related to fiduciary rulemaking, wage and hour regulation and implementation of the Affordable Care Act and related healthcare programs. H.J.Res.75, Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016, and H.J.Res.78, Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016, Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors, and in opposition of policy riders related to fiduciary rulemaking, wage and hour regulation and implementation of the Affordable Care Act and related healthcare programs. H.R. 1314, Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015, Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors, including lobbying to urge Congress to reallocate OASDI funding to SSDI trust funds without imposing barriers to claims processing or reduction of benefits. H.R. 2577, S. 2129, Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors. H.R. 2995, S. 1910, S. 2132, H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Financial Services, General Government Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors and in support of consumer protection agencies. H.R. 2578, Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Committee, FY 2016 - Lobbied for funding for various programs and agencies serving seniors. H.R. 2822, S. 1645,Interior and Environment Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied in opposition to inclusion of riders restricting equal access to justice and in support of weatherization programs. Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies, Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding for nutrition and housing assistance programs for seniors. H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking. H.R. 1314, Discussed Budget Act of 2015. Sent letter to White House for FY 2017 budget request. Sent letter to Congress requesting speedy resolution of debt ceiling. Sent letter to Congress regarding no 2016 COLA.

Contacted: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); White House Office; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: H.J.Res. 78 (114th), S. 2129 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 1645 (114th), H.R. 2578 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), H.R. 2995 (114th), H.R. 2822 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), H.R. 2577 (114th), H.R. 1314 (114th), S. 1910 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

H.R. 3099, S.1719, Discussed RAISE Family Caregivers Act, urged co-sponsorship, and discussed possible changes to Senate bill. S.1719, Discussed action on the bill and shared relevant information. Discussed proposed tax credit for family caregivers. (no bill) S.192, Discussed support for Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act. Urged joining the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. (no bill) Discussed hosting CMS Quarterly Caregiving meeting and logistics. Lobbying to secure a bipartisan Social Security Disability Insurance funding solution in 2015. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbies to protect Older Americans Act program funding. Extended invitations to Portraits of Care reception and discussed room/event logistics. Responded to event RSVPs, discussed event, and portraits.(no bill) Discussed ACT caucus Dear Colleague letter for National Family Caregivers month. (no bill) H.R. 3099, S. 1719, Shared blogs on RAISE Family Caregivers Act with Hill staff. S.1719, Sent letter thanking some Senate offices for committee and/or Senate passage of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. S.1719, Sent letter supporting HELP Committee passage of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. Discussed LTSS financing (HHS ASPE). (no bill) H.R. 3099, S. 1719,Discussed RAISE Family Caregivers Act at CMS quarterly caregiving meeting (CMS, HHS Office of Asst. Sec'y for Health, HHS office of Women's Health, VA, ACL, SSA, CDC). S. 1719, Discussed possible Aging Committee family caregiving hearing, possible witnesses, and RAISE Act. Inquired about ACT caucus contact and members. (no bill) Discussed elder caregiving issues and follow-up with Department of Labor. (no bill) Submitted comment to CMS on proposed discharge planning regulations and urged improvements. H.R. 3099, S. 1719, Spoke on family caregiving panel at Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conference. Discussed RAISE Act and ACT caucus. S. 1719, Discussed potential family caregiving media opportunity on the RAISE Act. Invited Hill staff to Dementia Care Technology and Innovation Forum and discussed family caregiving with NIH. (no bill) Discussed potential summit on care and services for people with dementia and their family caregivers (ASPE, NIA, CMS,VA, PCORI,HRSA, ACL, HHS). (no bill) H.R. 5633, S. 2866 (113th Congress), Discussed in-home CARE Act and provided feedback. Responded to inquiry regarding personal story of a family caregiver. (no bill) Offered to provide information on Lifespan Respite Care Program (OMB). (no bill) H.R. 3913, Sent endorsement letter for Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act. Discussed International Day of Older Persons event (ACL). (no bill) H.R. 294, Discussed Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act (VA). S. 998 (in 113th Congress), Responded to inquiry on Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights Act.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); White House Office; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bills named: H.R. 5633 (114th), H.R. 3099 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th), S. 1719 (114th), S. 192 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), S. 998 (114th), S. 2866 (114th), H.R. 3913 (114th), H.R. 294 (114th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

H.R. 2029, H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Financial Services, General Government Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect funding for SEC, CFIC and CFPB consumer protection programs. Met with Senate staff on consumer protection issues, financial scams and fraud. (no bill)

Contacted: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Treasury, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); White House Office; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Bills named: H.R. 2029 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Communicated with Department of Labor on minimum wage and overtime for home care workers and related litigation. H.R. 2029,H.J.Res.75, H.J.Res.78, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to prevent inclusion of riders which would prevent agency enforcement of employment benefits and protections. S. 2180, Communicated with congressional staff regarding support for the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Communicated with congressional staff regarding the EEOC's proposed regulations on workplace wellness programs. Met with EEOC Commissioners and staff regarding age discrimination issues. S. 2180, Discussed Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act.

Contacted: Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Treasury, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); SENATE; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); White House Office; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: S. 2180 (114th), H.J.Res. 78 (114th), H.J.Res. 75 (114th), H.R. 2029 (114th)

Pharmacy PHA

H.R. 6, Discussed the House Energy and Commerce Committee 21st Century Cures Initiative and Senate HELP Committee efforts focused on drug and medical device innovation issues. H.R. 3061, S. 31, Discussed the importance of potential savings to both consumers and the federal government of granting Secretarial negotiating authority to the HHS Secretary under Medicare Part D. Discussed legislation to address pay-for-delay agreements used by drug manufacturers to block lower cost drugs from entering the market. Discussed the exclusivity period for biologic drugs. (no bill) Discussed biologic drug issues including implementation of the new approval pathway for biosimilar drugs. Discussed other prescription drug issues and potential legislation on drug importation and least costly alternative payment for Part B drugs. (no bill) Discussed the need for data transparency on prescription drug prices and comparativeness effectiveness research. Discussed patent reform legislation (S. 1137, the PATENT Act and H.R. 9, Innovation Act) and related provisions on the Patent and Trademark Office inter partes review (IPR) process and proposed exemptions for brand name drug patents.

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC)

Bills named: H.R. 3061 (114th), S. 1137 (114th), S. 31 (114th), H.R. 6 (114th), H.R. 9 (114th)