AARP for AARP

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Discussion of draft legislation to restore law to its state before 2009 SCOTUS decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services. (no bill) Discussion on the availability of flexible work options. (no bill) Discussion on research on the impact of pay inequity on retirement income. (no bill)

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

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

Pub. Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation.

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

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

Discussed financial regulatory reforms, including consumer and investor protections, a potential systemic risk regulator, and consolidation of agencies (no bill). Pub.Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation. Discussed draft legislation which would provide individuals 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. (no bill)

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

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)

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

Transportation TRA

Discussion of draft legislation to reauthorize SAFTEA-LU. 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. (no bill) Discussed human services coordination and public transportation. (no bill) Discussed older driver and pedestrian safety. (no bill) Safe and Complete Streets Act - Discussion of draft 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 potential users of all ages and abilities to travel safely and conveniently. (no bill) Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act - Discussion of draft legislation to create a federal funding program for States to implement federal safety design recommendations at roads and intersections with a high incidence of traffice accidents and fatalities involving older drivers and pedestrians. (no bill) Specialized Transportation for Older Adults legislation - Discussion of proposed legislation to reauthorize, increase capital funding and provide operating subsidy funding for the Department of Transportation Sec.5310 special needs transportation program for seniors and persons with disabilities.(no bill) H.J.Res. 44, H.J.Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, most notably SSA Administrative expensives, LIHEAP, aging services, HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly.

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 48 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

H.R. 1058, the Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2011 - Submitted letter of support to the original cosponsors of the Seniors' Tax Simplification Act. This legislation would allow older tax filers to file a short tax form, similar to the 1040EZ, that includes income from Social Security.

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

Bills named: H.R. 1058 (112th)

Retirement RET

Discussed demographics and priorities for AARP members and the 50+ population in general. (no bill) Discussed concerns about cutting Social Security benefits as a way of addressing the nation's current budget deficits. (no bill) H.J. Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for increased funding of SSA Administrative expenses to reduce disability claim backlog and improve customer service. Discussed automatic indivudual retirement accounts, funded via payroll deduction, to individuals who work for an employer of a particular size and tenure who does not currently offer a retirement vehicle to their employees. (no bill) Discussion on Automatic IRA proposal to provide 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. (no bill) Discussed Social Security COLA relief. (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.

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 48 (112th), S. 267 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th), H.R. 677 (112th)

Telecommunications TEC

Discussed AARP's concerns for "Bill Shock" experienced by members and consumers with wireless providers. (no bill) Discussed FCC's interest in consumer protections against unexpected wireless charges as a result of lack of transparency and disclosure by wireless providers to consumers on fine print. (no bill) Discussed initiatives on identity verification over the Internet. (no bill)

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

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) H.J.Res 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, SSA, various health care, employment, aging services and nutrition programs. Together We Care Act - Discussed draft legislation that would create a three-year pilot program to train public housing residents to provide covered home-based health services. (no bill) Pub. Law 111-148 & 111-152 - Discussed implementation of health disparities data collection provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Pub. Law 111-148 & 111-152 - Discussed implementation of health care legislation that would reform the health care system to provide affordable quality health care and expand access to long term care services. Lobbied in support of legislation to provide a hearing aid tax credit to individuals. (no bill) Lobbied in support of comparative effectiveness research. (no bill) Discussed need to increase health information technology quality measurements and access to qualified systems. (no bill) Discussed comparative effectiveness research. (no bill)

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 44 (112th), H.J.Res. 48 (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). S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed implementation of certain enacted provisions. 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. S. 227, Home Health Planning Improvement Act of 2011 - Lobbied for Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Physician Assistants being able to order Medicare funded home health care. Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act - Discussed draft legislation to count a period of observation status in a hospital exceeding 24 hours toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare.(no bill) Discussed transitional care demonstration program. Discussed how to preserve Medicaid services despite budgetary pressures at both state and federal levels. (no bill) Discussed how to implement Medicaid provisions of Affordable Care Act. 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 legislation to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on in-patient psychiatric hospital services. H.J.Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, most notably SSA Administrative expenses, LIHEAP, aging services, HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly. 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, 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. H.R. 978 - Lobbied in support of legislation to preclude the use of Social Security numbers on government issued identification cards. Discussed medicare physician payment issues. (no bill) Discussed durable medical equipment bidding. (no bill)

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

Bills named: S. 1256 (112th), H.R. 978 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th), S. 374 (112th), S. 227 (112th), H.J.Res. 48 (112th)

Housing HOU

Pub.Law 111-203, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Discussed implementation of legislation. Discussed assisted living housing. (no bill) Discussed Section 202 budget and restructuring proposals. (no bill) H.J. Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and public housing and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly programs. Discussed Federal Reserve Board proposed rules regarding Regulation Z requirements for reverse mortgages and consumer right of rescission. (no bill) P.L.111-372, Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act - Discussed enactment of legislation to provide for rehabilitation of existing rental housing units constructed under the HUD Section 202 housing program and to allow greater flexibility in combining HUD rehabilitation funding with other sources of funding, and to modify The Assisted Living Conversion Program. 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)

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 44 (112th), H.J.Res. 48 (112th), H.R. 830 (112th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

H.J. Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, most notably SSA Administrative expenses, LIHEAP, aging services, HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly. H. R. 1, Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act FY 2011 - Lobbied for adequate funding for OAA, EJA, CSFP, SCSEP, CNCS, SNAP. Discussions on Administration's position on the debt ceiling and possible impact on Social Security. (no bill) 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.J. Res. 1/S.J. Res. 4 - Proposing a balanced budget to the Constitution - Discussed legislation. Discussed draft budgetary legislation on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. (no bill)

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

Bills named: S. 245 (112th), H.R. 1 (112th), H.J.Res. 48 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th), S. 163 (112th), S.J.Res. 4 (112th), H.J.Res. 1 (112th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

Discussed reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. (no bill) S. 462, Elder Abuse Victims Act - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect. 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. H.R. 577, Elder Abuse Prevention Act - Continued advocacy to develop legislative and regulatory policy to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

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

Bills named: S. 465 (112th), S. 464 (112th), S. 462 (112th), H.R. 577 (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. H.R. 63, Long Term Care Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - Lobbied for legislation that improves consumer protections and provides better information regarding private long-term care insurance policies. S. 159, The Confidence in Long-Term Care Insurance Act of 2011- Discussed legislation that would improve consumer protections and provide better information regarding private Long-Term care insurance policies. Discussed employer sponsored wellness programs. Discussed need for transparency in rate reviews. Discussed need for consumer protection in internal and external appeals for self-funded plans.

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

Bills named: S. 159 (112th), H.R. 63 (112th)

Government Issues GOV

Discussed demographics and priorities for AARP members and the 50+ population in general. (no bill)

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

Energy/Nuclear ENG

H.J. Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, most notably SSA Administrative expenses, LIHEAP, aging services, HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly. Discussed AARP's concerns for consumer protections around the deployment of smart meters. (no bill)

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 48 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th)

Pharmacy PHA

H.J. Res. 44, H.J. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for FDA Office of Generic Drugs and nutrition assistance. Discussed legislative intent with respect to Biologic drugs and exclusivity period.(no bill) S. 319, Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2011 - Discussed importance of potential savings to consumers through safe importation of prescription drugs and endorsed legislation. 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 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.

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

Bills named: S. 319 (112th), H.J.Res. 44 (112th)

Torts TOR

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

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

Welfare WEL

H.J. Res. 44, H.J. Res. 48, Continuing Appropriations Amendments, FY 2011 - Lobbied for funding for various federal programs serving Older Americans, most notably SSA Administrative expenses, LIHEAP, aging services, HECM reverse mortgage subsidy and Section 202, Housing for the Elderly. Discussion on federal nutrition programs and policy. (no bill) Discussed continuing development of modern alternative measures of poverty. (no bill) Lobbied for expanded access to federal nutrition programs by eligible persons. (no bill)

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

Bills named: H.J.Res. 44 (112th), H.J.Res. 48 (112th)