AARP for AARP

Transportation TRA

S. 1885, AV START Act - Discussed autonomous vehicles. Discussed traffic safety and older pedestrians. Discussed safe road design for all users of the road. Discussed transportation appropriations. Discussed non-emergency medical transportation. Discussed highway signage font.

Contacted: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Bills named: S. 1885 (115th)

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

Discussed support for the Department of Labor Fiduciary rule Sent a letter to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in support of a uniform standard that would apply to both broker-dealers and investment advisers when providing personalized investment advice to retail customers. Discussed support for Dodd-Frank regulations related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Sent letter to Senate opposing a congressional review act (CRA) vote on the CFPBs arbitration rule. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R.244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31) and (H.R. 3280) Financial Services & General Government Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied in opposition to inclusion of hostile riders concerning SEC and DOL fiduciary duty rules with House and Senate Appropriations Committee staff.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Bills named: H.J.Res. 99 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), H.R. 3280 (115th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

S. 443, H.R. 2650, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported bill. H.R. 1313, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act - Opposed bill. Discussed activities to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act with congressional staff and EEOC. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R.244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31), (H.R. 3267 & S. 1662) Commerce, Science & Justice Appropriations bill for FY 2018, (H.R. 3266 & S. 1609) Energy & Water Appropriation bill for FY 2018 and (H.R.3280) Financial Services & General Government Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied in support of Legal Services Corporation, full funding for Census Bureau American Community Survey and in opposition to policy riders affecting access to the Internet.

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Bills named: S. 443 (115th), H.R. 3280 (115th), H.R. 3266 (115th), S. 1662 (115th), S. 1609 (115th), H.R. 3267 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), H.R. 1313 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), H.R. 2650 (115th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

S. 1151, H.R. 2505, Credit for Caring Act - Discussed support for/endorsement of the bill and urged co-sponsorship. Discussed logistics with invited Members of Congress/Senators offices to speak at an event regarding family caregiving, Credit for Caring Act, and tax reform. Discussed long-term services and supports financing recommendations. Responded to inquiry regarding tax reform panel. Responded to inquiry regarding aging in place tax credit. Discussed support of medical expense deduction returning to threshold of 7.5%. Discussed health and retirement tax incentives: Sent letter to House and Senate committee leadership addressing taxation of Social Security benefits, the retention of the extra standard deduction for those ages 65 or older, access to workplace retirement plans, targeted incentives for work-place retirement saving plans, protection of earned pensions for vulnerable retirees and their families, and maintenance of consumer protections. Discussed age cap on eligibility for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R.244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31) and (H.R. 3280) Financial Services & General Government Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding levels for IRS VITA & TCE taxpayer assistance programs.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Bills named: S. 1151 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), H.R. 3280 (115th), H.R. 2505 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th)

Retirement RET

Discussed support for the Department of Labor Fiduciary rule. Discussed retirement issues relevant to tax reform. Discussed pending Social Security issues. Discussed multiemployer pension issues. H.R. 2792, Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act - Responded to inquiry re: bill. H.R. 3632/S. 208, PACE Act - Responded to inquiry re: bill.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 2792 (115th), S. 208 (115th), H.R. 3632 (115th)

Health Issues HCR

H.R. 1628, Better Care Reconciliation Act (Senate)/American Health Care Act (House) - Discussed health care reform and opposition to ACA repeal/replace, skinny repeal, and straight repeal amendments (includes S. Amdt. 267, S. Amdt. 270, S. Amdt. 667) because of provisions regarding the age tax/affordability, changes to Medicaid, pre-existing conditions, and Medicare. Shared data on the impact of the legislation, including state data. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation. Discussed opposition to Graham-Cassidy health care bill (no bill number). S. 1462, Marketplace Certainty Act - Responded to inquiry re: bill. Discussed support for medical expense deduction and returning the threshold to 7.5%. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R.244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31), (H.R. 3358 & S. 1771) Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2018 and Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied in support of increased funding for CMS' state survey and certification program and opposition to hostile policy riders re Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and various related medical care research and supportive services.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: S. 1462 (115th), H.R. 1628 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), S. 1771 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), H.R. 3358 (115th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

H.R. 1628, Better Care Reconciliation Act (Senate)/American Health Care Act (House) - Discussed health care reform and opposition to ACA repeal/replace, skinny repeal, and straight repeal amendments (includes S. Amdt. 267, S. Amdt. 270, S. Amdt. 667) because of provisions regarding the age tax/affordability, changes to Medicaid, pre-existing conditions, and Medicare. Shared data on the impact of the legislation, including state data. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation. Discussed opposition to Graham-Cassidy health care bill (no bill number). S. 1462, Marketplace Certainty Act - Responded to inquiry re: bill. S. 870, Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 - Discussed support for bill. H.R. 3263 - Endorsed bill to extend the Independence at Home Demonstration Program in Medicare. Filed comments on long-term care facility arbitration proposed rule. Discussed long-term care facility arbitration proposed rule and the issue more generally, including the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S. 512/H.R. 1237 in 111th Congress) and AARP's comments to CMS. Filed comments on 2018 Fee-for-Service proposed rule. Filed comments on 1115 waiver applications or 1115 waiver amendments for Wisconsin, Kentucky, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Iowa, Utah and Maine. Filed comments on proposed rule regarding Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2018 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update and Proposed CY 2019 Case-Mix Adjustment Methodology Refinements; Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model; Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements. Filed comments on advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities: Revisions to Case-Mix Methodology. Discussed support for the RAISE Family Caregivers Act (S. 1028/H.R. 3759), Credit for Caring Act (S. 1151/H.R. 2505), and administrative ways to support family caregivers. Discussed information regarding dual eligibles. Responded to Medicare buy-in bill inquiry. Discussed and shared information regarding emergency preparedness requirements for nursing homes under Medicare and Medicaid and disaster preparedness for older adults in general. Discussed issues related to disaster planning for older Americans. Discussed repeal or reform of Medicare caps on therapy services. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R.244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31) and (H.R.3358 & S.1771) Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied in support of increased funding for CMS' state survey and certification program and opposition to hostile policy riders re Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Contacted: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Bills named: H.R. 3263 (115th), S. 1771 (115th), S. 1151 (115th), H.R. 1237 (115th), H.R. 3358 (115th), S. 870 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), H.R. 1628 (115th), H.R. 3759 (115th), S. 1462 (115th), S. 512 (115th), H.R. 2505 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), S. 1028 (115th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R. 244 & H.R. 601, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31), (H.R. 3268 & S. 1603) Agriculture-Rural Development & Related Agencies bill for FY 2108, (H.R..3267 & S. 1662) Commerce, Science & Justice Appropriations bill for FY 2018, Energy & Water Appropriation bill for FY 2018, (H.R. 3280) Financial Services & General Government Appropriations bill for FY 2018, (H.R. 3358 & S. 1771) Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2018, and Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill for FY 2018 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for federal programs which provide health, nutrition, housing, energy assistance, legal aid and retirement security.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Bills named: S. 1771 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), H.R. 601 (115th), S. 1662 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), S. 1603 (115th), H.R. 3268 (115th), H.R. 3358 (115th), H.R. 3280 (115th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

S. 1151, H.R. 2505, Credit for Caring Act - Discussed AARP support for/endorsement of the bill and urged cosponsorship. Discussed logistics with invited Members of Congress/Senators offices to speak at an event regarding family caregiving, Credit for Caring Act, and tax reform. S. 1028,H.R. 3759, Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act - Discussed AARP support for/endorsement of the bill, changes to the bill, Senate action on bill, and reintroduction of the bill in the House and urged cosponsorship. Responded to questions regarding Virtual Caregiving Fair. S. 1606, In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources and Education Act - Discussed and endorsed bill. Discussed the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus and encouraged joining the caucus. Discussed our support for the RAISE Family Caregivers Act (S. 1028/H.R. 3759), Credit for Caring Act (S. 1151/H.R. 2505), and administrative ways to support family caregivers (HHS). Discussed long-term services and supports financing recommendations. Shared information on family caregiver out-of-pocket costs, rural family caregivers, and military caregivers. H.R. 3493, Care Corps Demonstration Act - Discussed bill. Responded to inquiry from Medicares Beneficiary and Family Centered Care - National Coordinating Center (BFCC-NCC) (CMS). Inquired about accessing BRFSS family caregiver data (CDC). Discussed family caregiver assessment provision in 1915(i) final rule (CMS). Discussed programs that pay family caregivers to provide care and shared publication on promising practices to support dementia caregivers. Extended invitations to MoCs/Senators to participate in a panel at a caregiving event. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R. 244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31), (H.R. 3268 & S. 1603) Agriculture-Rural Development & Related Agencies bill for FY 2108, Labor-HHS Appropriations bill for FY 2018 (H.R. 3358 & S. 1771), Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill for FY 2018 (H.R. 3353 & S. 1655), and Energy & Water Appropriation bill for FY 2018 (H.R. 3266 & S. 1609) - Lobbied in support of funding for various programs, including Social Security administrative expenses, senior nutrition (Commodity Supplemental Food program and Older Americans Act Title III), caregiving, energy assistance, supportive services, housing and volunteer community service programs.

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bills named: S. 1603 (115th), H.R. 3493 (115th), S. 1606 (115th), H.R. 3353 (115th), H.R. 3266 (115th), S. 1151 (115th), S. 1655 (115th), H.R. 3759 (115th), H.R. 3358 (115th), H.R. 2505 (115th), S. 1028 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th), S. 1771 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), S. 1609 (115th), H.R. 3268 (115th)

Insurance INS

H.R. 1628, Better Care Reconciliation Act (Senate)/American Health Care Act (House) - Discussed health care reform and opposition to ACA repeal/replace, skinny repeal, and straight repeal amendments (includes S. Amdt. 267, S. Amdt. 270, S. Amdt. 667) because of provisions regarding the age tax/affordability, changes to Medicaid, pre-existing conditions, and Medicare. Shared data on the impact of the legislation, including state data. Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation. Discussed opposition to Graham-Cassidy health care bill (no bill number). S. 1462, Marketplace Certainty Act - Responded to inquiry re: bill. Discussed individual market stabilization proposals being discussed in the Senate HELP committee and consideration of the needs of older Americans in respect to maintaining affordable health insurance coverage.

Contacted: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); SENATE; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 1628 (115th), S. 1462 (115th)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

H.R. 3778, Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act - Discussed bill. S. 443, H.R. 2650, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act - Supported bill. H.R. 1313, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act - Opposed bill. Discussed activities to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act with congressional staff and EEOC.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Social Security Administration (SSA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Bills named: H.R. 2650 (115th), H.R. 1313 (115th), H.R. 3778 (115th), S. 443 (115th)

Pharmacy PHA

H.R. 1628, Better Care Reconciliation Act (Senate)/ American Health Care Act(House) - Discussed priorities for older adults in health care reform legislation including Medicare, private health insurance/age tax, Medicaid, and prescription drugs. S. 974, CREATES Act - Discussed support of bill. H.R. 2051, FAST Generics Act - Endorsed bill. Cody Miller PMI Act - Participated in a meeting with the sponsoring office to discuss updated bill text and re-introduction in the 115th Congress. (no bill number) Discussed possible ways to improve Medicare Part D. Discussed new Rx Price Watch reports and the impact of high drug costs. Discussed drug pricing reforms AARP supports, including secretarial negotiation, importation, reducing exclusivity for biologics, and ending pay-for-delay. H.J. Res. 99 (P.L. 115-30), H.R. 244, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 (P.L. 115-31) and (H.R. 3358 & S. 1771) Agriculture-Rural Development & Related Agencies bill for FY 2108 - Lobbied in support of increased funding for FDA drug processing funding and user fees.

Contacted: Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bills named: H.R. 1628 (115th), H.R. 2051 (115th), S. 974 (115th), H.J.Res. 99 (115th), S. 1771 (115th), H.R. 3358 (115th), H.R. 244 (115th)