AARP for AARP

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

HR 3001/ S 1340 - Shared and discusssed actuarial analysis of the CLASS Act regarding creation of a public insurance program for long-term services. S 2337/HR 3363 - Discussion of and support for Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act that would make private long-term care insurance available through employer-sponsored flexible spending accounts and cafeteria plans and update and add consumer protections. S 1070/S 1577 - Support for both pieces of legislation and strategy for how they might both move forward this year. S 1340 - Discussed a demonstration version of this Medicare chronic care coordination and geriatric assessment bill. S 2708 - Provisions related to increasing the number of professionals trained in geriatrics or gerontology, etc., providing input on legislation and encouraging offices to cosponsor the bill. Discussed draft legislation to make changes to Medicaid HCBS, including the Medicaid state plan option, spousal impoverishment, Medicaid Transformation Grants, etc. HR 1174/S 1174 - Discussed with sponsors' staff potential endorsement of this legislation to require hospitals to report infection rates. HR 5140- Supported provisions providing rebates to older Americans who do not file income taxes, and potential for adding provisions to temporarily increase federal funding to state Medicaid programs. HR 5613- Supported this legislation, particularly provisions related to placing a moratorium on harmful Medicaid regulations. Lobbied to adjust budget neutrality requirement in waivers to include costs in both Medicare and Medicaid. Filed comment letters with HHS on proposed regulations involving cost sharing and flexibility in benefit packages. Medicaid Personal Assistance Services State Plan option- discussion of comment letter sending and receipt. Advocated for part B premium protection and asset test improvement. Discussed need to strengthen low-income programs by raising asset limits and streamlining rules, and to keep premiums affordable for all beneficiaries. S 2480/HR 4296- Supported provisions related to requiring e-prescribing in Part D, at first by providing incentive payments to providers who do and after 2011 lower payments to providers who do not. S 2641/ HR 5799 Nursing home quality; discussion of provisions (civil monetary penalties and Special Focus Facilities) in nursing home transparency, accountability, and quality bill. Advance directives and end-of-life care: discussed efforts to educate Medicare beneficiaries about advance directives; discussed, negotiated, and provided input on legislation regarding advance directives under Medicare and Medicaid;portability of advance directives, and public education around advance directives. Special Focus Facilities and disclosure of these facilities; criminal background checks for LTC employees; nursing home quality; poor performing nursing homes, family caregiving, nursing home compliance guidelines, Real Choice Systems Change Grants and family caregiver assessments, Home Health CAHPS, LTC Partnership Program (under Medicaid), Aging and Disability Resource Centers (AoA), health care and the uninsured - steps HHS is taking to address this, Medicare Medical Adult Day Care Demonstration.

Bills named: H.R. 5613 (110th), H.R. 3001 (110th), H.R. 5799 (110th), H.R. 1174 (110th), H.R. 5140 (110th), H.R. 4296 (110th), H.R. 3363 (110th)

Government Issues GOV

HR 1108 - Supported Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to give FDA authority to regulate tobacco products. Presented 2008 AARP Advocacy Agenda.

Bills named: H.R. 1108 (110th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

HR 3195 - Lobbied in favor of passage ADA restoration Act which restores original Congressional intent on ADA act. HR 2831/S 1843 - Educated and lobbied Hill staff on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 which restores the paycheck rule for employment discrimination law suits.

Bills named: H.R. 3195 (110th), H.R. 2831 (110th)

Utilities UTI

Protect older consumers from unnecessary and excessive wireless fees. Government regulatory policy regarding keeping older persons connected to T.V. reception after the DTV Transition. S 1070/ HR 1783-All provisions related to protecting older persons from abuse and neglect.

Bills named: H.R. 1783 (110th)

Transportation TRA

S 2686-Lobbied for all provisions related to ensuring that future transportation investments made by state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations create appropriate and safe transportation facilities for all those using the road-motorists, transit vehicles and riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

HR 5140- Lobbied in favor of including senior rebate in the economic stimulus bill. HR 2167/ S 114- Provisions related to establishing an auto IRA for workers not covered by pension plan. HR 5719- Discussed various provisions that could be included in a bill drafted to make the administration of the tax code more effective and efficient. A general discussion of the political, economic and social conditions that would create the conditions necessary to reform the tax code and possible changes that would simplify the tax code and make it more equitable. Meeting with tax counsel for the House Small Business Committee to discuss the agenda for the Committee hearing scheduled for April 10, 2008. HR 1540- Provisions related to excluding from gross income amounts received as damages due to discriminatory conduct.

Bills named: H.R. 5719 (110th), H.R. 1540 (110th), H.R. 2167 (110th), H.R. 5140 (110th)

Retirement RET

HR 2167/ S 1141-Provisions related to establishing an auto IRA for workers not covered by pension plan. HR 5140-Discussed implementation of the economic stimulus package, including rebates for seniors and IRS funding for implementation and Medicare legislation to avert a reduction in physician payments and to protect beneficiaries from further increases in Part B premiums. Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security-the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. Lobbied for adequate funding for Social Security Administration budget. S 3135-Senate Budget: Entitlement Task Force (could cut Social Security and Medicare benefits). Discussed options to strenthen and improve long term financing and operations of social security program. Lobbying for increased spending to reduce SSA disablity claim backlog.

Bills named: H.R. 5140 (110th), H.R. 2167 (110th)

Banking BAN

S. 2452 - Lobbied to protect older homeowners from predatory mortgage lending practices.

Bills named: S. 2452 (110th)

Telecommunications TEC

Encouraged support for consumer protection against telemarketing. Urged White House to provide swift action to establish an inter-agency task force to oversee the transition to digital television (DTV). Sought to protect older consumers from unnecessary and excessive wireless fees. Monitored draft language on wireless industry, attended hearing on draft language wireless industry, and spoke to House staff on draft legislation on wireless and hearing aid compatibility of advanced wireless products for hearing impaired. Met with the FCC Commissioner Tate regarding wireless issues. Gathered info on wireless legislation that will assist consumers with wireless industry abuses.

Health Issues HCR

S 2795 - Discussed concerns on small business health insurance coverage. Discussed proposal for health insurance reinsurance. S 334 - Discussed Senator Wyden's health care reform bill and possible Senate hearing with staff. Stakeholder meeting on health care quality. HR 3701/S 845 - Lobbied for all provisions to direct the Secretary of HHS to conduct public and professional education, research, and demonstration grants to prevent falls among the elderly. SCR 70 - Lobbied in favor of Medicare premium protection language in the budget and for reserve funds for health. Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security - the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation. Lobbied for spending levels for Rx comparative effectiveness, nursing education, NIH research, and other similar accounts. Prepared LHHS Subcommittee FY 2009 request letter asking for funding of SSA Admin., respite care programs, supportive services and nutrition programs, energy assistance, drug and medical research and falls prevention. Discussed the need for bipartisan action on health care reform legislation, and how AARP could be helpful in vetting such proposals with its members. Expressed concern about proposed regulation regarding reduction of annual reassignment of LIS population in Part D. HR 3800/S 1693 - Strongly promoted enactment of this legislation to promote adoption of health information technology. S 2408/HR 4296 - Supported this legislation to require e-prescribing in Part D, at first by providing incentive payments to providers who do and after 2011 lower payments to providers who do not.

Bills named: H.R. 4296 (110th), H.R. 3701 (110th), H.R. 3800 (110th)

Housing HOU

HR 3548 - Provisions related to detering predatory lending practices and helping to protect older homeowners from foreclosure. HR 5818 - Lobbied to help prevent older homeowners from losing their homes to foreclosure. S 2636 - All provisions in Title IV related to allowing bankruptcy judges to restructure subprime mortgage debt for primary residences; lobbied the bill to help prevent older homeowners from losing their homes to foreclosure. HR 3609 - Provisions related to allowing judges to modify the terms of mortages in bankruptcy to reduce foreclosures. S. 2684 - Provisions related to stabilizing the funding formula for Section 8 Vouchers to provide more affordable housing options for our members and their families. S. 2490 - Supported passage of this bill to better prevent reverse mortgage borrowers from fraud and abuse. HR 1852/S 2338 - Lobbied to expand the FHA-insured reverse mortgage program while limiting origination fees charged by lenders.

Bills named: H.R. 1852 (110th), H.R. 5818 (110th), S. 2684 (110th), H.R. 3609 (110th), S. 2490 (110th), H.R. 3548 (110th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Lobbied to ensure that comparative effectiveness research is promoted (including appropriations financing for AHRQ's Section 1013 funding) and/or that Medicare Part D is not means tested. Budget summary memo on AARP's analysis on the analysis of the President's budget. HCR 312- Lobbied in favor of Medicare premium protection language in the budget and for a reconciliation bill for health. S 2063 - Lobbied in favor of a health reform framework in the entitlement task force legislation. SCR 70 - Lobbied in favor of Medicare premium protection language in the budget and for reserve funds for health.

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

HR 1783/S 1070 - Support "Elder Justice Act" coordination of state and federal resources to combat elder abuse & exploitation. HR 5563 - Support "GIVE Act" expansion of volunteerism opportunities and civic engagement. Discuss minority services access & minority senior health disparities. HR 2188/ S 661- Support "Kinship Caregiver Support Act" services for relatives raising children when parents cannot.

Bills named: H.R. 1783 (110th), H.R. 5563 (110th), H.R. 2188 (110th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

HR 3541/S 2096 - All provisions related to protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing.

Bills named: H.R. 3541 (110th)

Energy/Nuclear ENG

HR 2984 - Contact regarding provisions in LIHEAP legislation pertaining to utility bill payment assistance for elderly and persons with low incomes. Gauge interest in Senators' interest in possible LIHEAP legislation, contact committee re: LIHEAP legislation and LIHEAP reauthorization hearing.

Bills named: H.R. 2984 (110th)

Pharmacy PHA

S 623, HR 1038, HR 1956, HR 5629-Lobbied to ensure that Waxman biogenerics legislation is enacted particularly provisions related to ensuring a safe, effective pathway for the approval of comparable, interchangeable biologics. HR 1902/ S 316-Provisions related to preventing abuses in patent settlements between generic and brand name prescription drug manufactures. S 1145-Ensuring that the existing inequitable conduct provisions in Patent Law Act are not weakened. S 242-Lobbied to ensure the passage of legislation that would create a safe system of prescription drug importation. Discussion regarding prescription drug affordability.

Bills named: H.R. 1038 (110th), H.R. 1956 (110th), H.R. 5629 (110th), H.R. 1902 (110th)

Welfare WEL

HR 2419/ S 1529- Support "Farm Bill" provisions related to reauthorization and improvements in Food Stamps and other federal nutrition programs. HR 4986- Lobbying for provisions related to energy assistance spending. HR 5140- Lobbying for provisions related to energy assistance spending and for release of LIHEAP contingency funds. S 1200- Lobbying for provisions related to energy assistance spending. S 986- Lobbying for provisions related to energy assistance spending. To prevent hunger and food insecurity among older persons.

Bills named: H.R. 5140 (110th), H.R. 4986 (110th), H.R. 2419 (110th)