AARP for AARP

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

H.R. 2 - Discussed Medicare Physician payment/SGR reform legislation and health care extenders. Discussed the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act. (no bill) 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) 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. (no bill) Discussed pending U.S.Trade agreement negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership and their potential impact on prescription drug access and affordabillity.(no bill) H.R.919/S.522, Childrens's Health Insurance Program - Discussed Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension. Discussed LTSS issues, including financing. (no bill) Discussed Medicare coverage of hearing aids. (no bill) S.843/H.R.1571, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act - Discussed the bill. H.R.2, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Advocated for changes to budget offsets and for Medicare beneficiary protections. H.R.1470,SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2015 - Advocated for greater beneficiary protections. H.R.605/S.275, Home Infusion Site of Care Act - Sent letter of endorsement. H.R. 818, Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME)Act - Sent letter of endorsement. H.R.876, Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE)Act - Sent letter of endorsement. 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) S.Con.Res. 11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect vital health and social services programs, and to prevent repeal of certain financial and healthcare related legislation.

Contacted: Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Treasury, Dept of; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); White House Office

Bills named: H.R. 818 (114th), H.R. 1571 (114th), H.R. 919 (114th), H.R. 1470 (114th), S. 843 (114th), S. 275 (114th), H.R. 2 (114th), H.R. 876 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), H.R. 605 (114th), S. 522 (114th)

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. (no bill). 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. (no bill) Discussed regulatory reform with Senate Banking Committee staff. (no bill) Discussed potential SEC and DOL fiduciary duty rules with Senate Banking Committee staff. (no bill) AARP testified before the SEC on the need to update the definition of accredited investor. (no bill) AARP testified before the SEC on the FINRA "CARDS" proposal. (no bill) AARP testified on the DOL fiduciary rule proposal. (no bill) Discussed insider trading issue with Congressional staff. (no bill) 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.

Contacted: White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Treasury, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Bills named: H.R. 1090 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (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 Senate staff regarding support for bill to restore legal standards on employment discrimination. (no bill) Met with EEOC Commissioners and staff regarding enforcement of ADEA. (no bill) Met with Hill staff and staff for EEOC and Executive Office of the President regarding civil rights. (no bill)

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); White House Office; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Treasury, Dept of; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Transportation TRA

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. (no bill) Discussed Safe Streets Act to ensure that new or improved federally-funded roadways are planned, designed, operated and maintained to safely accommodate all users. (no bill) Discussed Rural Transportation in support for increased access for rural older adults. (no bill) Discussed Human services transportation coordination in support for strengthening human services transportation coordination. (no bill) H.R. 479, Amendment to House Passenger Rail bill, regarding including non-motorized users, including wheelchairs, in the Amtrak Inspector General report on boarding procedures. DOT Federal Transit Administration Circular Guidelines on Americans with Disability Act Compliance - Filed comments to Federal Register docket in support for clear and effective guidance to transit agencies to comply with the ADA. (no bill) Discussed Pedestrian safety in support for DOT initiative to increase safety for non-motorized users. (no bill) National Center on Senior Transportation - Sent letter in support for continued funding. (no bill)

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Bills named: H.R. 479 (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.

Contacted: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Treasury, Dept of; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Executive Office of the President (EOP); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

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

Retirement RET

Discussed potential DOL and SEC fiduciary duty rules. (no bill) Discussed industry user fees as a method to fund the periodic examination of registered investment advisors. (no bill) 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. (no bill) Lobbied in favor of the Administration supporting state-based retirement savings solutions. (no bill) Sent letter to Members of Congress on the Social Security rules change in the House Budget Resolution. (no bill) Sent letters to House Ways and Means and Senate Budget committees on SSDI reallocation. (no bill) 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. 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 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)

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Treasury, Dept of; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; White House Office; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S. 245 (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)

Contacted: SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Health Issues HCR

Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to expand Medicaid. Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) S. 192, Older Americans Act - Discussed Older Americans Act reauthorization legislation. Discussed employer wellness programs and the ACA. (no bill) Discussed the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. (no bill) Discussed Personalize Your Care Act regarding advance care planning, advanced illness, and advance care planning. (no bill) Responded to inquiry regarding marketplaces. (no bill) Made inquiry related to the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's, Research, Care and Services. (no bill) H.R.1270,The Restoring Access to Medications Act - Discussed bill with Hill staffers. 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 disable and other low income assistance.

Contacted: SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Executive Office of the President (EOP); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: H.R. 2 (114th), S. 192 (114th), H.R. 1270 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (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) S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors. Lobbied to urge Congress to reallocate OASDI funding to SSDJ trust funds without imposing barriers to claims processing or reduction of benefits. (no bill)

Contacted: Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Social Security Administration (SSA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Treasury, Dept of; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 11 (114th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

Discussed proposal for a national strategy to support family caregivers. (no bill) Discussed proposed tax credit for family caregivers. (no bill) Discussed launch of the Assisting Caregivers Today(ACT) Caucus, room reservations, event logistics, and related items, as well as serving as ACT Caucus co-chair and the caucus generally; shared invitation to caucus launch; attended caucus launch. (no bill) Discussed a national caregiving summit. (no bill) S.192, Discussed support for Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act. Discussed joining the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. (no bill) S.879, Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE)- Discussed House alternative budget proposal, family caregiver tax credit. Discussed National Care Corps Act and status of reintroduction. (no bill) Discussed family caregiving and efforts to support the health of the caregiver. (no bill) Discussed hosting CMS Family Caregiving Meeting and possible dates. (no bill) Participated in CMS family caregiving quarterly meeting and discussed family caregiver assessment in Medicaid 1915(i) and meeting follow-up items. Discussed needs of military and veteran family caregivers. (no bill) Inquired regarding availability of Lifespan Respite Care grant opportunities for states. (no bill)

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); White House Office; Treasury, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

Bills named: S. 192 (114th), S. 879 (114th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

Sent comment letter to CFPB on proposed Language Access Plan, Docket CFPB-2014-22 Sent comment letter to CFPB on Amendments to Mortgage Rules, Docket CFPB-2014-33 Sent comment letter to CFPB on Electronic Funds Trnasfer (Regulation E) relating to prepaid cards, Docket CFPB-2014-31. S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding for SEC, CFIC and CFPB consumer protection programs.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 11 (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: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Treasury, Dept of

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Discussed implementation of the Department of Labor's final regulations on minimum wage and overtime for home care workers and related litigation. (no bill) Met with Senate staff regarding support for bill to restore legal standards on employment discrimination. (no bill) Met with EEOC Commissioners and staff regarding enforcement of ADEA. Met with Hill staff and staff for EEOC and Executive Office of the President, regarding the civil rights implications of Discriminatory employer-sponsored wellness programs; sent letter to Senate Committee. (no bill) Discussed the legal challenges to recent regulations requiring minimum wage and overtime pay for home care workers. (no bill) Prepared information for communications with Hill staff regarding proposals on paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave. (no bill)

Contacted: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA)

Pharmacy PHA

Discussed the House Energy and Commerce Committee 21st Century Cures Initiative and Senate HELP Committee efforts focused on drug and medical device innovation issues. (no bill) 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. (no bill) 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. (no bill) 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 research and development costs and drug prices, and enhanced data reporting on coverage determinations, exception, and redeterminations under the Part D appeals process. (no bill)

Contacted: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Welfare WEL

Lobbied to protect funding for low income nutrition and SSBG. (no bill) Lobbied against cuts to SNAP. (no bill) Discussed the Older Americans Act, SNAP, and LIHEAP. (no bill) Discussed AARP's opposed re-opening any portion of the enacted 2014 Farm Bill. (no bill) S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect needs based energy, nutrition and Social Services support programs.

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Treasury, Dept of; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 11 (114th)