AARP for AARP

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

Discussed financial regulatory reforms, including consumer and investor protections. (no bill) Pub.Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation. H.R.677/S.267, the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act-Supported the original co-sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. This legislation would provide individuals with a better understanding of the lifetime value of their 401(k) plan assets by including in a yearly benefit statement a conversion of their total accrued benefits into a monthly dollar amount as if they had opted to receive a lifetime annuity. Discussed pending DOL and SEC regulations on the definition of a fiduciary. (no bill) H.R. 1125, Debt free America Act - Discussed legislation to repeal after 2021 the individual income tax, refundable and non-refundable personal tax credits, and the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on individuals and impose a 1% fee on bank transactions for debt reduction purposes. H.R.2940/S.1831, Parts of the JOBS Act Package - Lobbied and wrote a letter in opposition to pairing back Regulation D protections in stock offerings. H.R.2930/S.1970/S.1791, Parts of JOBS Act Package - Lobbied to restore consumer protections regarding "crowd funding" of initial public offerings (IPO's) that the bill curtailed. H.R. 3606, JOBS Act - Lobbied and wrote in support of the Reid/Levin/Landrieu amendment in the nature of a substitute, and in favor of the "crowd funding" amendment. Presented testimony and worked with Staff of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity, on Federal Housing Administration oversight of reverse mortgages. AARP seeks continuation of, and improvement to the program. (no bill) Discussed implications of H.R. 4624, the "Investment Advisor Oversight Act." Responded to SEC request for Comment on Financial Literacy and Disclosure. H.R. 6020/S.3301, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from annual appropriations scrutiny and to protect funding levels for SEC, CFTC, FTC and IRS Taxpayer Services programs. H.R. 4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act - sent letter to all members of the House opposing the title incorporating H.R. 2308, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act. S. 3468, the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act - Lobbied for Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearings and input from agencies before a committee mark up. Participated in August 1 roundtable at the Department of Treasury to discuss implementation of the JOBS Act. Wrote to the Securities and Exchange Commission recommending that they not move to an interim final rule on general solicitation and advertising under the JOBS Act without first receiving comment from the public. S. 3468, the "Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act," - Lobbied members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in opposition to the bill; discussed concerns with the bill and sent letter to members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee expressing concern with the bill. Submitted letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission expressing concern with proposed rulemaking on general solicitation and advertising in Rule 506 offerings under the JOBS Act. Discussed Dodd-Frank and JOBS Act implementation. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Reserve System; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Treasury, Dept of; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); White House Office; Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); SENATE; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Bureau of the Census; Administration on Aging; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Bills named: H.R. 3606 (112th), H.R. 2940 (112th), S. 1791 (112th), H.R. 4078 (112th), H.R. 1125 (112th), S. 1831 (112th), H.R. 2308 (112th), S. 3301 (112th), S. 1970 (112th), H.R. 4624 (112th), H.R. 2930 (112th), S. 267 (112th), H.R. 6020 (112th), H.R. 677 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), S. 3468 (112th)

Retirement RET

Discussed demographics and priorities for AARP members and the 50+ population in general. (no bill) H.R.4050, Retirement Plan Simplication & Enhancement Act of 2012 - Discussed concerns regarding expansion of electronic disclosures of pension documents and notices. AARP Opposed adoption of "Chained CPI" as part of Fiscal Cliff debt. (no bill) H. R. 677/S. 267, Lifetime Income Disclosure Act - Submitted letter of support to the original co-sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act. This legislation would provide individulas with a better understanding of the lifemtime value of their 401 (k) plan assets by including in a yearly benefit statement a conversion of their total accrued benefits into a monthly dollar amount as if they had opted to receive a lifetime annuity. S. 1557/H.R. 4049, the Automatic IRA Act of 2011 - Lobbied on legislation to create automatic individual retirement accounts, funded via payroll deduction, to individuals who work for an employer of a particular size and tenure that do not currently offer a retirement savings vehicle to their employees. Discussed S. 1558, the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act, legislation to apply payroll taxes to remuneration and earnings from self-employment up to the contribution and benefit base and to remuneration in excess of $250,000. Provided an informational briefing on Social Security. S. 1876, Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act - Supported legislation to change the index used to calculate annual Social Security COLA's from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H. R. 539, Preserving Our Promise to Seniors Act - Discussed legislation to make changes pertaining to Social Security, including the use of a new CPI-E index for COLA's, and to provide $250 relief payments to beneficiaries. S. 2252, the Rebuild America Act - Discussed the Social Security and Pensions portions of this wide-ranging legislation designed to "rebuild the American middle class by creating jobs, investing in our future, building opportunity for working families, and restoring balance to the tax code." Discussed the Department of Labor's proposed new fiduciary duty regulation with key staff of the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (no bill number). Discussed possible proposals to improve pension rights for participants and reform proposals to improve pension coverage and adequacy. ( no bill) Briefed Congress on AARP's "You've Earned A Say"- A national conversation on the future of Social Security and Medicare with AARP members and all Americans. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services. Discussed the current and future challenges faced by Social Security's Representative Payee program. Discussed pending DOL regulations of summary documents for 401(k) fee disclosure. (no bill) H.R. 4609, the Social Security Equality Act - Discussed bill which would authorize the treatment of permanent partnerships between individuals of the same gender as marriage for purposes of determining entitlement to OASDI benefits. Letter sent to Congress expressing AARP's opposition to additional extensions of the temporary payroll tax holiday. (no bill) Discussed pending DOL regulations on the electronic disclosure of ERISA-covered pension plan documents and related potential or current legislation H.R. 4050, the Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act. Discussed potential legislation regarding the Social Security Administration's process for closing field offices. (no bill) H.R. 4050, Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2012 - Discussed concerns with Congressional staff regarding provisions to expand electronic disclosures of pension documents and notices. Sent letter to DOL urging caution on any expansion of electronic disclosures of pension documents and notices. S.3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase funding for the Social Security Administration, Older Americans Act nutrition, family caregiver & supportive services programs, low income home energy assistance (LIHEAP), and to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey and demonstrations and preventive health. Discussed with key staff of the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration and the GAO issue of electronic disclosure of ERISA-covered pension plan documents. (no bill) Discussed with key staff of Congress and the Department of Treasury's Financial Management Service their efforts regarding the March 2013 move away from paper checks to electronic benefit payments for all Social Security beneficiaries. (no bill) Lobbied Congress to prevent the inclusion of Chained CPI and extension of the temporary payroll tax holiday in any lame duck year end budget deal. (no bill) Shared results of AARP public survey on electronic disclosure with Congressional staff and agency staff at DOL/EBSA, Treasury, OMB, CFPB and GAO. Discussed with IRS staff concerns regarding recent guidance on deferred vested benefit notices to participants. Discussed concerns with GAO staff regarding Form 5500. Discussed with Congressional staff recent pension plan "derisking" activities.

Contacted: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Bureau of the Census; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Treasury, Dept of; Administration on Aging; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Highway Administration (FHA)

Bills named: S. 1557 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.R. 677 (112th), H.R. 539 (112th), S. 1876 (112th), H.R. 4609 (112th), S. 267 (112th), S. 3295 (112th), H.R. 4049 (112th), S. 1558 (112th), H.R. 4050 (112th), S. 2252 (112th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

Pub. Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation. Responded to requests for comment with regard to Payday Lending, Mandatory Arbitration, "Larger Participants" (non-bank), and Bank Overdraft Fees. Lobbied against H.R. 3035 the "Mobile Informational Call Act". Responded to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau request for comment on "Procedural Rules to Establish Supervisory Authority over Certain Nonbank Covered Persons Based on Risk Determination. Responded to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau request for comment on Senior Financial Exploitation. Submitted comment letter to the CFPB on Integrated Mortgage Disclosure under RESPA and TILA Docket No. CFPB-2012-0028. Submitted comments to the CFPB on effective financial education, Docket No. CFPB 2012-0030.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Reserve System; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Treasury, Dept of; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Administration on Aging; Bureau of the Census; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); White House Office; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 3035 (112th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

Discussed draft legislation on Voter Modernization to Amend National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to promote use of Internet by state election officials in voter registration activities. (no bill) S.2323/H.R.5326, Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies appropriations - Opposed rider barring EEOC from enforcing disparate impact age discrimination regulations. S. 2189, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported legislation to restore legal standards under the Age Discrimination In Employment Act. S.462/H.R. 2564, Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2011 - Discussed elder abuse issues. S. 464, End Abuse in Later Life Act of 2011 -Discussed elder abuse issues. S. 1263/H.R. 112, Silver Alert Act - Discussed elder abuse issues. Discussed the rights of elder GLBT persons in accessing public service and benefits. (no bill) Worked with coalition to discuss House and Senate strategies to remove barriers to voting emerging in state laws. (no bill) Submitted comment letters to EEOC regarding strategic enforcement priorities. S. 1744, Guardianship Accountability Act - To improve quality of guardianship protections and background checks. H.R. 4126, Voter I.D. Accessibility Act of 2012 - Amend VRA to require voter I.D. states to provide documentation without charge for certain populations. H.R. 5799, voter Empowerment Act - Combines several bills to strengthen access to voting under VRA and HAVA. Discussed Voting Rights issues. (no bill) H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Federal Reserve System; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Treasury, Dept of; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Bureau of the Census; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Administration on Aging

Bills named: H.R. 112 (112th), H.R. 5326 (112th), H.R. 2564 (112th), S. 2323 (112th), S. 2189 (112th), H.R. 4126 (112th), H.R. 5799 (112th), S. 1744 (112th), S. 462 (112th), S. 1263 (112th), S. 464 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th)

Transportation TRA

Discussion of transportation reauthorization, MAP-21. AARP interests include increasing funding for public transit and special needs para-transit services, promotion of older driver and pedestrian safety, expanding adoption of planning and design features to better accommodate all roadway users and strengthening connections between transportation and land use planning. H.R. 1780/S.1056, Safe and Complete Streets Act - Discussion of legislation to require States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to adopt complete streets policies to ensure that federally-funded improvements to roadways incorporate design changes that permit users of all ages and abilities to travel safely and conveniently. H.R. 5972/S.2322, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/enhance funding for elderly housing (Section 8 project-based and tenant-based rental assistance and Section 202 programs), elderly transit programs and to protect transportation enhancements. Lobbied DOT regarding pending guidance on new performance measures required under MAP-21. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Administration on Aging; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Bureau of the Census; Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Federal Reserve System; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Bills named: S. 1056 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.R. 1780 (112th), H.R. 5972 (112th), S. 2322 (112th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

S. 1006, Senior's Tax Simplification Act, to the existing description of H.R. 1058 in Tax Section - Submitted letter of support to Senate original co-sponsors in May. H.R.6020/S.3301, the Financial Services Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to oppose subjecting Consumer Finance Protection Bureau from annual appropriations oversight, increase/protect funding for the Taxpayer Counseling for the Elderly program, and to protect/increase SEC funding. Discussed with IRS staff concerns regarding recent guidance on deferred vested benefit notices to participants. AARP opposed further extension of payroll tax holiday. (no bill) S. 3680, the 2013 Making Working Pay Credit Act - Discussed introduction of the legislation and review the bill. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Bureau of the Census; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Treasury, Dept of; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Reserve System; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); SENATE; Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Administration on Aging; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Highway Administration (FHA)

Bills named: H.R. 8 (112th), S. 1006 (112th), H.R. 6020 (112th), S. 3301 (112th), S. 3680 (112th), H.R. 1058 (112th)

Telecommunications TEC

Discussed Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution methodology. (no bill) Submitted filing of comments and reply comments to the Federal Communications Commission on changes to the Universal Service Fund Contribution methodology. Responded to FCC staff on proposal to exclude enterprise services from USF contributions. (no bill)

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Bureau of the Census; Federal Reserve System; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Treasury, Dept of; Administration on Aging; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Health Issues HCR

Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace. (no bill) Discussed barriers to care that can result from language differences between providers and patients and/or lack of translation services. (no bill) Lobbied on preserving funding for the ACA; defended meaningful use of the ACA. (no bill) Discussed need to increase health information technology quality measurements and access to qualified systems. (no bill) S. 1019, Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Discussed Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act which would provide a $500 credit to people of all ages. H.R. 217, To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund - Lobbied against the repeal of the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund. This fund is an important component in state and community efforts to prevent illness and promote health. Discussed Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program. (no bill) Discussed Accountable Care Organization and Medical Shared savings. (no bill) Discussed Rate Review. (no bill) Discussed Internal Appeals and External Review Process. (no bill) Discussed Medicare reimbursement issues. Lobbied in support of Medicare physician payment reform. Discussed legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable to older Americans. S. 1416/H.R. 2645, Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improvement Act. Discussed Internal Claims, Appeals and external Review Process. (no bill) Discussed HIPAA Privacy Rule Accounting under HITECH Act. (no bill) Discussed coverage for screening depression and screening and counseling for alcohol misuse. (no bill) Discussed consumer operated and oriented plan programs. (no bill) Discussed standards related to risk adjustment, reinsurance, and risk mitigation as they relate to exchanges. (no bill) H.R.2077, MLR Repeal Act of 2011 - Expressed opposition to the elimination of provision in the Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148)Discussed opposition to draft legislation regarding the elimination of grandfathered status. (no bill) Discussed association health plans with DOL, HHS and DOT. (no bill) Discussed quality and care coordination with HHS. (no bill) Discussed Essential Health Benefits with HHS. (no bill) Discussed employer affordability safe harbor. (no bill) Discussed health insurance exchanges - eligibility, enrollment, premium tax credits. (no bill) Discussed Basic Health Plans. (no bill) Discussed Medigap reform. (no bill) Discussed Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program. (no bill) Discussed role of grandfathered plans. (no bill) Discussed reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and other amendments to the OAA. (no bill) Discussed dual eligibles. (no bill) S.3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase funding for the Social Security Administration, Older Americans Act nutrition, family caregiver & supportive services programs, low income home energy assistance (LIHEAP), and to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey & demonstrations and preventive Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey and demonstrations and preventive health. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services. Discussed Hospital & Critical Access Hospitals Conditions of Participation proposed regulations; requested that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians assistants be allowed the full scope of services in hospital admitting and visiting privileges. (no bill) Discussed Hospital Outpatient Therapeutic Services Final Rule underscoring that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians should be allowed to supervise such outpatient service clinics without physician oversight as long as in line with state scope of practice laws. (no bill) Discussed Medicare GNE demonstration design problems. Discussed inviting FTC to participate in a webinar on how they are and can be engaged on state scope of practice issues. Also sent follow-up items for their review. (no bill) Discussed Medicare and Social Security programs. (no bill) Lobbied against cuts to the health care prevention fund. (no bill) Discussed fiscal cliff issues dealing with Medicare and Medicaid including concerns over increasing Medicare's age of eligibility, chained CPI, payroll tax holiday extension, and cuts to Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed Affordable Care Medicaid expansion issues. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. Discussed Medicaid reform, Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid expansion implementation, as included in the ACA (P.L. 111-140).

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Administration on Aging; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Federal Reserve System; SENATE; Bureau of the Census; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Treasury, Dept of; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: S. 1019 (112th), H.R. 2645 (112th), H.R. 2077 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.R. 217 (112th), S. 1416 (112th), S. 3295 (112th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). H.R.3630, SGR - Discussed physician payment reform. Pub.Law 111-148 & 111-152 - Discussed implementation of health care law that would reform the health care system to provide affordable quality health care, reduce drug costs and expand access to long-term services and supports. Discussed transitional care program. Discussed how to implement Medicaid provisions of Affordable Care Act. (PL. 111-148) Lobbied in support of draft legislation that would grant individuals whose COBRA has expired the same Medicare Part B enrollment rights as those who have group coverage. (no bill) S. 374, Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act - Lobbied in support of this legislation to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on Medicare coverage for in-patient psychiatric hospital services. S.3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey & demonstrations and preventative health. Discussed improving access to care for underserved population. (no bill) Discussed importance of maintaining low income subsididies and supports in Medicare. (no bill) Discussed the importance of coordinating services for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid in order to ensure that beneficiaries receive all needed benefits but there is no duplication. (no bill) Discussed whether, and under what circumstances, managed care could effectively be used to provide benefits to dual eligible beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed implementation of Anti-Fraud Measures of Affordable Care Act (PL. 111-148), including coordination between HHS, DOJ and state Attorneys General. Discussed additional methods for fighting fraud and waste in Health Care. (no bill) Discussed Medigap and need for guaranteed issue for all populations and need to increase medical loss ratio. Discussed durable medical equipment bidding. (no bill) H.R. 1654, Medicare Enrollment Protection Act - Lobbied for legislation to provide Medicare beneficiaries with additional opportunities to enroll in Medicare Part B. H.R. 978, To amend Title II of the Social Security Act - Lobbied against the use of the Social Security account number on Government-issued identification cards issued in connection with Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP benefits and for other purposes. S. 1206/H.R. 2190, The Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2011 - Discussed legislation to require prescription 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. S. 1251, Medicare and Medicaid Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayers' Dollars Act - Discussed support to curb waste and fraud from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. S. 1275, The Medicare and Medicaid FAST Act - Lobbied on legislation to prevent fraud and abuse within the federal health programs. S. 1206/H.R. 2190, The Medicare Drug Savings Act - Discussed legislation that would establish Medicaid drug rebates for the duals. H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 - Discussed the legislation as it pertained to SGR. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services. Discussed Medicare Graduate Nursing Education pilot design. (no bill) Discussed Prescription Drug Affordability. (no bill) Discussed Prescription Drug Shortages. (no bill) H.R. 3342, Affordable Medicines Utilization Act of 2011 - Lobbied to encourage state Medicaid programs to use safe, effective generic medications. H.R. 2576 - Discussion to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the calculation of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility for certain healthcare-related programs. Discussed opposition to caps on dual eligibles; discussed managed care and dual eligibles. (no bill) Discussed with CMS demonstration programs for dual eligibles and process related to the demonstrations, as well as other work of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, discussed home and community setting issue in Medicaid, discussed focus groups on dual eligibles. Discussed Medicaid managed care and long-term services and supports broadly. Discussed Hospital & Critical Access Hospitals Conditions of Participation proposed regulations; requested that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians assistants be allowed the full scope of services in hospital admitting and visiting privileges. (no bill) Discussed Hospital Outpatient Therapeutic Services Final Rule underscoring that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians should be allowed to supervise such outpatient service clinics without physician oversight as long as in line with state scope of practice laws. (no bill) Discussed inviting FTC to participate in a webinar on how they are and can be engaged on state scope of practice issues. Also sent follow-up items for their review. (no bill) Discussed health disparities. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid reform, Medicare/Medicaid "dual eligibles" integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations; and other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) S.2243, Discussed Medicare Better Health Rewards Program. Discussed You've Earned a Say. (no bill) S. 3271, Discussed Equal Access to Medicare Options Act of 2012. H.R. 2925/S.1551, the Medicare Common Access Card Act - Discussed AARP's support of the bipartisan bill. Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues. Discussed Medicaid reform, Medicare-Medicaid "dual eligibles" integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) S. 3586, Recruiting Individuals to Drive Elders (RIDE) Act - Discussed Medicaid non-emergency transportation bill. Discussed Kansas managed long-term services and supports waiver proposal, Administration. Discussed proposals that would establish per-capita caps under Medicaid as well as other Medicaid financing proposals including block grants and changes to the current FMAP structure. (no bill) Discussed extension of funding originally provided under the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (P.L. 110-275) to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRICs), and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for Medicare outreach and enrollment counseling. (no bill) Discussed the prevention of cuts to beneficiaries in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the prevention of an increase in the age of eligibility in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the patch to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed concerns of block granting Medicaid. (no bill)

Contacted: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); White House Office; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Administration on Aging; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Bureau of the Census; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Treasury, Dept of; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Reserve System; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Bills named: S. 2243 (112th), S. 3586 (112th), H.R. 2925 (112th), S. 1206 (112th), S. 1551 (112th), H.R. 2190 (112th), H.R. 978 (112th), S. 1275 (112th), H.R. 1654 (112th), S. 374 (112th), S. 3271 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), S. 1251 (112th), H.R. 3630 (112th), H.R. 3342 (112th), S. 3295 (112th), H.R. 2576 (112th)

Housing HOU

Pub.Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation. Submitted comments to HUD on proposed regulations on "Implementation of the Fair Housing Acts" Discriminatory Effects Standard". Discussed Federal Reserve Board proposed rules regarding Regulation Z requirements for reverse mortgages and consumer right of rescission. (no bill) H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act - Disucssed concerns over foreclosures and older homeowners. Discussed reverse mortgage issues including non-recourse loan issues. (no bill) Discussed mortgage finance market reform options. (no bill) Discussed draft legislation on accessibility standards for single-family homes. (no bill) H.R. 5972/S.2322, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/enhance funding for elderly housing (Section 8 project-based and tenant-based rental assistance and Section 202 programs), elderly transit programs and to protect transportation enhancements. Responded to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau request for comment on "Information Regarding Consumer Use of Reverse Mortgages. Responded to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau request for comment on "High-Cost Mortgage and Homeownership Counseling Amendments to the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) and Homerownership Counseling Amendments to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X)" Lobbied on expected "QM" safe harbor amendment. (The amendment was not offered) H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Reserve System; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Treasury, Dept of; Administration on Aging; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Bureau of the Census; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); SENATE

Bills named: S. 2322 (112th), H.R. 830 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.R. 5972 (112th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

S. 163, Full Faith and Credit Act - Discussed AARP position on legislation and second degree amendment to the legislation. S.245, CAP Act of 2011 - Discussed our concerns and opposition to the legislation. H.Con. Res. 112 - Lobbied Congress against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and where savings could be found without harming beneficiaries and protect discretionary services for vulnerable seniors. AARP Opposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries as part of any "fiscal cliff" deal. (no bill) H.R.6020/S.3301, the Financial Services Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to oppose subjecting Consumer Finance Protection Bureau from annual appropriations oversight, increase/protect funding for the Taxpayer Counseling for the Elderly program, and to protect/increase SEC funding. H.R.5973/S.2375, the Agriculture Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase Commodity Supplemental Food program funding. H.R.5325/S.2465, the Energy & Water Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase funding for weatherization programs. H.R.5972/S.2322, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/enhance funding for elderly housing (Section 8 project-based and tenant-base rental assistance and Section 202 programs), elderly transit programs and to protect transportation enhancements. S.3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase funding for the Social Security Administration, Older Americans Act nutrition, family caregiver & supportive services programs, low income home energy assistance (LIHEAP), and to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurances exchanges, state survey & demonstrations and preventive health. Also lobbied Administration (HHS & OMB) to accelerate release of LIHEAP funding and to increase funding for SSA. H.R.5326/S.2323, the Commerce, Science and Justice Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/enhance Equal Employment Opportunity Commission funding. H.R. 6091, Interior Appropriation Act for FY 2013 - Lobbied against inclusion of bill language limiting recovery of attorneys fees under Equal Access to Justice Act. Lobbied Congress against cuts to the Medicare program. (no bill) AARP Opposed further extension of payroll tax holiday. (no bill) Discussed with members of Congress concerns over deficit reduction, advocating for no cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as part of any potential deficit reduction deal. Discussed the prevention of cuts to beneficiaries in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the prevention of an increase in the age of eligibility in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the patch to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) in the Medicare program. (no bill) H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Bureau of the Census; Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Administration on Aging; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); White House Office; Office of Personnel Management (OPM); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Federal Reserve System; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Bills named: H.R. 5972 (112th), S. 2465 (112th), S. 163 (112th), H.R. 6020 (112th), H.R. 6091 (112th), H.R. 5326 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.Con.Res. 112 (112th), H.R. 5325 (112th), S. 3295 (112th), S. 2375 (112th), S. 2323 (112th), S. 2322 (112th), H.R. 5973 (112th), S. 3301 (112th), S. 245 (112th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

S. 2037, Discussed reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and various proposals. S. 462, Elder Abuse Victims Act - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect. H.R.2883/S. 1542, Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act - Discussed provisions supporting grandparents raising grandkids. S. 465, Senior Financial Empowerment Act - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect. S. 464, Elder Abuse in Later Life - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect. S.2077/H.R. 577, Elder Abuse Prevention Act - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect. S. 1263/H.R. 112, Silver Alert Act - Discussed elder abuse issues. S. 1819, Strengthening Services for America's Seniors Act - Discussed legislation. S. 2037, Older Americans Act Amendments of 2012 - Discussed legislation. S. 1744, Guardian Accountability and Senior Portection Act - Supported legislation. S. 1982, Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens through Workforce Advancement Act of 2011 - Discussed legislation. Discussed elder abuse issues, ARDC's and the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. S.3358, Responding to urgent needs of survivors of the Holocaust Act - Discussed the improvement of services under OAA.

Contacted: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Reserve System; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Administration on Aging; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); White House Office; Bureau of the Census; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Bills named: S. 1819 (112th), S. 465 (112th), S. 1542 (112th), H.R. 2883 (112th), S. 462 (112th), S. 1744 (112th), H.R. 577 (112th), S. 464 (112th), S. 3358 (112th), S. 1263 (112th), S. 1982 (112th), S. 2037 (112th), S. 2077 (112th), H.R. 112 (112th)

Insurance INS

Pub. Law 111-148 and 111-152, Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act - Discussed implementation of certain provisions related to affordable quality health care and expand access to long-term services and supports. Discussed the age rating provisions in the law. Discussed employer sponsored wellness programs. (no bill) Discussed need for transparency in rate reviews. (no bill) Discussed need for consumer protection in internal and external appeals for self-funded plans. (no bill) H. R. 1213, To repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges - Sent letter in opposition to HR 1213 which would repeal the mandatory funding provided to states under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges. Discussed medical loss ratio. (no bill) Discussed Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program. (no bill) Discussed Accountable Care Organization and Medical Shared Savings. (no bill) Discussed Rate Review. (no bill) Discussed Internal Appeals and External Review Process. (no bill) Discussed Medicare reimbursement issues. (no bill) Lobbied in support of Medicare physician payment reform. (no bill) Discussed legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable to older Americans. (no bill) Discussed Consumer protection and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). S. 3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey and demonstrations and preventive health. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Reserve System; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Bureau of the Census; White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Treasury, Dept of; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Administration on Aging

Bills named: H.R. 8 (112th), S. 3295 (112th), H.R. 1213 (112th)

Government Issues GOV

Discussed demographics and priorities for AARP members and the 50+ population in general. (no bill) Lobbied supplemental poverty measure with House and Senate staff. (no bill) Discussed poverty and hunger issues. (no bill) Discussed SNAP. (no bill) Discussed increasing senior representation in CDC studies and supported public participation in samples. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); White House Office; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Administration on Aging; Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Reserve System; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Bureau of the Census; Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: H.R. 8 (112th)

Energy/Nuclear ENG

Discussed AARP policy concerns regarding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with United States Senate staff. (no bill) Discussed AARP Consumer concerns regarding Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) statutory obligation for just and resonableness. (no bill) Lobbied for review of FERC's treatment of Regional Transmission Organization governance and consequences for ratepayers. (no bill) H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Treasury, Dept of; Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); SENATE; Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Bureau of the Census; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Reserve System; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Administration on Aging; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Social Security Administration (SSA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)

Bills named: H.R. 8 (112th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

S. 2189, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported legislation to restore law to its state before 2009 SCOTUS decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services. Submitted comment letter to EEOC regarding strategic enforcement priorities. H.R.5326/S.2323, the Commerce, Science and Justice Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/enhance Equal Employment Opportunity Commission funding, and opposed rider barring the EEOC from enforcing disparate impact regulations. Sent comment letters to EEOC regarding strategic enforcement priorities of the agency. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Bureau of the Census; Treasury, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Reserve System; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Administration on Aging

Bills named: H.R. 5326 (112th), S. 2189 (112th), S. 2323 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th)

Pharmacy PHA

Discussed legislative intent with respect to Biologic drugs and exclusivity period.(no bill) Discussed importance of potential savings both to consumers and to the federal government of granting Secretarial Negotiating Authority to Secretary of HHS on Medicare Part D. (no bill) Discussed legislative intent with respect to biologic drugs and the exclusivity period; and discussed importance of potential savings to the health care system generally. (no bill) Discussed need for greater consumer safety protections both in OTC and prescription drugs. (no bill) Discussed need to end industry tactics like Pay for Delay which inappropriately extends patents with effect of keeping prices high for consumers and government. (no bill) Discussed need for doctors to get unbiased information on prescription pharmaceuticals through programs like academic detailing. (no bill) Discussed possible savings and better health care outcomes that could result from Medication Therapy Management. (no bill) Pub. Law 111-148 and 111-152 - Discussed implementation of health care legislation to reform the health care system to provide quality healthcare, expand access to long-term services and supports, and reduced prescription drug costs. Discussed greater affordability of generic versions of both generic and biologic drugs. S. 319, Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2011 - Discussed legislation that establishes a framework for the safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad. S. 1206, Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2011 - Discussed rebates in Medicare Part D as a cost savings measure in Medicare that does not harm beneficiaries. H. R. 3342, Affordable Medicines Utilization Act of 2011 - Lobbied on legislation to encourage state Medicaid programs to use safe, effective generic medications. S. 27, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act - Lobbied for this legislation preventing abuses in patent settlements between generic and brand name prescription drug companies. S. 1886/H.R. 3468, Discussed counterfeit drug penalty enhancement. Discussed prescription drug safety, drug shortage, and medical device safety, and related user fee legislation. S. 2193, the Ensuring Safe Medical Devices for Patients Act - Discussed legislation to include devices in the post-market risk identification and analysis system for prescription drugs and to expedite the implementation of the unique device identification system for medical devices. Discussed draft legislation to address the issue of whether generic drug manufacturers have a duty to include new warnings about potentially serious side effects on their labels as they become known. The bill would accomplish this by giving generic drug makers the same ability to update their labeling as currently exists for manufacturers of brand name drugs. (no bill) S.3187, Food and Drug Administration safety and Innovation Act - FDA user fee agreement legislation focusing on the review process for prescription drugs and medical devices, prescription drug safety, drug shortages, medical device safety and access to generic drugs. S.3212, Cody Miller Initiative for Safer Prescriptions Act - To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations regarding the authorship, content, format, and dissemination of Patient Medication information. Discussed prescription drugs. S. 3604, Improving Preventive Care Treatment in Older Adults Act - Discussed legislation to address the inaproppriate use of antipsychotics in nursing home facilities. (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 pay-for-delay agreements as tactic by drug manufacturers to block lower cost drugs from entering the market, and the Fair and Immediate Release of Generics Drugs Act that would address the underlying issue of "parked exclusivities" in the Hatch-Waxman Act (S.1882). Discussed the issue of biosimilar drug naming and how biosimilars should use a common International Non-proprietary name as reference originator biologic products. (no bill)

Contacted: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Bureau of the Census; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Reserve System; White House Office; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Administration on Aging; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: S. 3604 (112th), S. 2193 (112th), S. 1886 (112th), S. 3187 (112th), S. 3212 (112th), S. 27 (112th), S. 1882 (112th), H.R. 3468 (112th), S. 319 (112th), H.R. 3342 (112th), S. 1206 (112th)

Torts TOR

Discussed implementation of Tort reform provisions of Affordable Care Act (Pub. Law 111-148), including various demonstration proposals. Discussed other possible revisions to Tort system that would still preserve patient protections and have goal of reducing medical error. (no bill)

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Treasury, Dept of; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Administration on Aging; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Reserve System; Bureau of the Census; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

Welfare WEL

S.3295, the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2013 - Lobbied to protect/increase funding for the Social Security Administration, Older Americans Act nutrition, family caregiver and supportive services programs, low income home energy assistance (LIHEAP), and to protect funding for program authorized under the Affordable Care Act, including CMS State Health insurance exchanges, state survey and demonstrations and preventive health. S. 1592, Agricultural Credit Expansion Act - Restoration of 4.5 billion dollar SNAP cuts in Senate Farm Bill. S. 3240, Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 - Reauthorize Farm program and discussed House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Reauthorization Draft and provisions affecting federal nutrition programs. H.R. 6083, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act - Discussed reauthorization of the Farm Bill. H.R. 6518, State Nutrition Assistance Flexibility Act of 2012 - Discussed federal nutrition block grant to states. H.R. 6567- Replaces H.R.6518 as core nutrition block grant legislation. H. Res. 760 - Opposes cuts in SNAP. Discussed the Older Americans Act, SNAP, and LIHEAP. H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 - Lobbied against inclusion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid legislation affecting benefit levels or service delivery in any end-of-the-session budget deal, and urged congress to not reduce spending levels below current services levels for various non-security discretionary programs, including Health Care (including Rx, medical research and premium support), Social Security (administrative expenses), Older Americans Act Supportive Service, Nutrition and Caregiver programs, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Elderly Housing and Transit/Transportation, Legal and Taxpayer Assistance, Consumer and Worker Protections and Postal Services.

Contacted: Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Bureau of the Census; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD); Federal Reserve System; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Treasury, Dept of; Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); White House Office; Executive Office of the President (EOP); Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Administration on Aging

Bills named: S. 1592 (112th), H.R. 8 (112th), H.R. 6518 (112th), S. 3295 (112th), H.R. 6083 (112th), S. 3240 (112th), H.R. 6567 (112th), H.Res. 760 (112th)