AARP for AARP

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Discussed the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act. (no bill) Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes. (no bill) H.R. 2005, S. 1083, Medicare Drugs Savings Act, Discussed legislation to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. House and Senate H.R. 2624, S.1488, Discussed the Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act, a bill that would allow seniors to appeal the placement of their medications on a Medicare Part D specialty tier. Discussed Medicare Part D fraud and abuse legislation including lock-in provisions for high risk enrollees. (no bill) Discussed legislation to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed pending U.S.Trade agreement negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership and their potential impact on prescription drug access and affordabillity.(no bill) H.R.919, S.522, Childrens's Health Insurance Program - Discussed Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension. Discussed Medicare coverage of hearing aids. (no bill) H.R. 1571, S.843, Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act - Discussed the bill and urged movement of the bill. H.R.1470, SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2015 - Advocated for greater beneficiary protections. H.R.605, S.275, Home Infusion Site of Care Act - Sent letter of endorsement. H.R. 818, S. 861, Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME)Act - Sent letter of endorsement. H.R. 876, S.1349, Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE)Act - Sent letter of endorsement. Discussed changes to the Medicare benefit design, such as copays, premiums, and deductibles.(no bill) Discussed Medicare health information technology, data transparency, and Qualifying Entities. (no bill) Discussed health care quality and measurement. (no bill) H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect vital health and social services programs, and to prevent repeal of certain financial and healthcare legislation. Discussed structural changes to Medicaid. (no bill) S. 1549, Care Planning Act, Discussed the bill which provides for advanced illness care coordination services. Met with Senate Finance Committee to discuss recommendations on chronic care, including independence at home expansion and family caregiving support. Discussed family caregiver assessment in Medicaid home and community-based services with CMS (no bill). Attended LTSS financing colloquium with HHS ASPE. (no bill) H.R. 1202, Discussed Medicare Patient Access to Hospice Act. Discussed nursing home care, staffing data, value-based purchasing for SNFs and nursing home quality measures. Attended HHS event on 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. (no bill) Shared comments on Medicaid and managed care and long-term care facility requirements proposed regulations. Discussed GAO report on Medicaid personal care services. H.R. 3220, S. 1871, Endorsed Medicare Smartcard legislation. H.R. 2948, Endorsed Telehealth Parity Act. Discussed Medicare telemedicine policy. Discussed Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles in 2016. Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes (no bill number). Discussed legislation (no bill) to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. H.R. 2624, S. 1488, Discussed the Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act, a bill that would allow seniors to appeal the placement of their medications on a Medicare Part D specialty tier. Discussed Medicare Part D fraud and abuse legislation including lock-in provisions for high risk enrollees (no bill). H.R.1220, S.624, Discussed the removing barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. Discussed legislation with staff regarding PRIME ACT-HR 818 Preventing and reducing improper Medicare expenditures act.

Contacted: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); White House Office; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Bills named: H.R. 2948 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th), S. 861 (114th), H.R. 876 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 1549 (114th), H.R. 2005 (114th), S. 1871 (114th), H.R. 605 (114th), S. 1349 (114th), S. 1083 (114th), H.R. 2624 (114th), H.R. 818 (114th), H.R. 1202 (114th), S. 843 (114th), H.R. 1470 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), H.R. 919 (114th), S. 1488 (114th), H.R. 1220 (114th), H.R. 1571 (114th), H.R. 3220 (114th), S. 275 (114th), S. 522 (114th), S. 624 (114th)

Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD

Discussed pending negotiations on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement and intellectual property chapter provisions on pharmaceuticals.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Treasury, Dept of; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); SENATE; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

H.R.1090, Retail Investor Protection Act - Sent letter in opposition to the Retail Investor Protection Act. Met with SEC staff and Chair to discuss imposing a fiduciary duty on borker/dealers. (no bill). Met SEC staff to discuss industry user fees as a method to fund the periodic examination of registered investment advisors. (no bill) Met with DOL and Administration staff to discuss updating the fiduciary standard under ERISA. (no bill) Discussed regulatory reform with Senate Banking Committee staff. (no bill) Discussed potential SEC and DOL fiduciary duty rules with Senate Banking Committee staff. (no bill) AARP testified on the DOL fiduciary rule proposal. (no bill) Discussed insider trading issue with Congressional staff. (no bill) H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res. 11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to prevent delay in DOL and SEC rulemaking on fiduciary duty. Financial Services and General Government Appropriation, 2016 - Lobbied to prevent delay in rulemaking on fiduciary duty and against efforts to subject CFPB from annual appropriations review. Discussed elder fraud and abuse and telemarketing fraud with Senate Aging Committee staff. Discussed regulatory reform with Senate staff. (no bill) H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking.

Contacted: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); SENATE; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Treasury, Dept of; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th), H.R. 1090 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), S. 1695 (114th)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

Discussed AARP opposition to requiring additional information of voter registrants under NVRA. (no bill) Discussed AARP opposition to unnecessary citizenship documentation of registrants.(no bill) Discussed supporting the right to vote amendment. (no bill) Discussed AARP opposition to conduct of Elections bills that would terminate the Election Assistance Commission. (no bill) Sent letter of endorsement on the Voting Rights Act Amendment. (no bill) Met with Senate staff regarding support for legislation to restore legal standards on employment discrimination. (no bill) Met with OIRA staff regarding Fair Pay and Safe Workspaces Executive Order. H.R.548, H.R. 549, H.R. 550, H.R. 1189, Communicated with House and Senate Committees regarding EEOC enforcement authority and activities. Met with EEOC Commissioner and staff regarding employer-sponsored wellness programs.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Social Security Administration (SSA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Bills named: H.R. 550 (114th), H.R. 548 (114th), H.R. 549 (114th), H.R. 1189 (114th)

Transportation TRA

Discussed transportation issues for the reauthorization of MAP-21. AARP interests include increasing safe access and funding for transportation options for older adults and people of all ages; specifically public transportation (including rural, senior and disabled, and human services), and non-motorized transportation. AARP interests also include older driver and pedestrian safety, including roadway planning and design to accommodate all users; and strengthening the connections between transportation and land use planning. (no bill) Discussed Safe Streets Act to ensure that new or improved federally-funded roadways are planned, designed, operated and maintained to safely accommodate all users. (no bill) Discussed Rural Transportation in support for increased access for rural older adults. (no bill) Discussed Human services transportation coordination in support for strengthening human services transportation coordination. (no bill) H.R. 479, Amendment to House Passenger Rail bill, regarding including non-motorized users, including wheelchairs, in the Amtrak Inspector General report on boarding procedures. DOT Federal Transit Administration Circular Guidelines on Americans with Disability Act Compliance - Filed comments to Federal Register docket in support for clear and effective guidance to transit agencies to comply with the ADA. (no bill) Discussed pedestrian safety in support for DOT initiative to increase safety for non-motorized users. (no bill) National Center on Senior Transportation - Sent letter in support for continued funding. (no bill) S. 1732, Sent letters thanking Sens. Schatz, Heller, Markey and Udall for sponsoring a Safe Streets Amendment that was approved for inclusion in the managers bill for Sen. Commerce Committee markup. H.R. 22, Sent letter to full Senate urging inclusion of Schatz-Heller Safe Streets amendment in Senate transportation reauthorization bill, DRIVE Act.. H.R. 22, S. 1732, Discussed including the Schatz-Heller amendment in DRIVE Act with Senate staff. Attended DOT roundtable discussion marking on the anniversary of DOT Secretary Foxxs pedestrian-bicycle safety initiative, Safer People, Safer Streets with officials from the Secretarys office, FHWA, FTA, NHTSA, FMCSA, and FRA. H.R. 2577, S.2129, Transportation, HUD Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various transportation programs serving seniors.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Treasury, Dept of; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Bills named: S. 1732 (114th), H.R. 22 (114th), S. 2129 (114th), H.R. 2577 (114th), H.R. 479 (114th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Discussed the Medical Expense Tax Deduction. (no bill) H.R.1397, S.716, Seniors Tax Simplication Act - Discussed legislation regarding the bill. Discussed proposed tax credit for family caregivers to House and Senate staff. Write letter to Senate Finance Committee on AARP health-related tax priorities. Discussed aging in place tax credit. (no bill)

Contacted: Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of

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

Retirement RET

Discussed potential DOL and SEC fiduciary duty rules. (no bill) Discussed industry user fees as a method to fund the periodic examination of registered investment advisors. (no bill) Lobbied in favor of the DOL moving forward with a rulemaking to eliminate conflicts of interest in financial advice provided to individulas saving for their retirment in an ERISA plan. (no bill) Lobbied in favor of the Administration supporting state-based retirement savings solutions. (no bill) Sent letter to Members of Congress on the Social Security rules change in the House Budget Resolution. (no bill) Sent letters to House Ways and Means and Senate Budget committees on SSDI reallocation. (no bill) Met with Senate staff on Social Security, SSDI and retirement security issues, multiemployer pension issues, fiduciary duty issues and retirement fees. S. 245, Automatic IRA Act of 2015 - Met with Senate staff on the Automatic IRA Act of 2015. Met with House staff on SSDI and SSDI related budget issues, multiemployer pensions, and retirement issues. (no bill) Met with Treasury Department staff on MyRA. (no bill) Met with PBGC staff on multiemployer pensions and other retirement plan issues. (no bill) Met with Treasury, DOL, and PBGC staff on multiemployer pensions. (no bill) Discussed state retirement issues with DOL and White House staff. (no bill) Met with SSA staff about Social Security Administration issues. (no bill) Met with PBGC Participant Advocate about retirement issues. (no bill) S.Con.Res.11/H.Con.Res.27, Budget Resolution, FY2016 - Lobbied to prevent inclusion of any Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Lobbied to enhance SSA program integrity funding without compromising SSA service delivery for all earned benefits. (no bill) Discussed measures to increase pension coverage and improve retirement savings. (no bill) H.R. 5306, Discussed Social Security 2100 Act. Discussed DOL Conflict of Interest rule with Dep't of Treasury staff. Met with Treasury, OIRA and OMB in support of DOL Conflict of Interest proposal (no bill). Sent letters to DOL, Members of Congress and House Education and Workforce Commmittee in support of DOL Conflict of Interest proposal. Briefed staff for the Senate Financial Serivces Committee and the House Financial Services, Education and Workforce Committee on DOL Conflict of Interest rulemaking. S. 1607, The Independent Agency Regulatory Reform Act of 2015, Sent a letter in opposition to Senate Homeland Security and Gov't Affairs Committee. DOL - Filed two sets of comments on the Conflict of Interest regulatory proposal. Testified at DOL hearing on conflict of interest rule. Sent letter to certain Members of Congress on the DOL conflict of interest proposal. Discussed and offered rebuttal to certain criticisms of the DOL proposal on conflict of interest rule. Communicated with congressional staff regarding comments of Members of Congress on the EEOC's proposed regulations on workplace wellness programs. Submitted comments to Treasury and PBGC on proposed rules under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. S. 2110, Met with Senate staff on the Womens Pension Protection Act. Met with OMB, DOL and Treasury on the DOL proposed rule on state retirement initiatives. H.R. 2317, Discussed and submitted a letter in support of the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act.

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Social Security Administration (SSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); White House Office; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Bills named: H.R. 5306 (114th), H.R. 2317 (114th), S. 2110 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 1607 (114th), S. 245 (114th)

Telecommunications TEC

Filed comment letter on the Internet Protocol transition technology. (no bill) Met with FCC to highlight priorities in 2015 in the CGB's jurisdiction including 911/public safety and IP transition issues. (no bill) Discussed possible strategies to support Lifeline. (no bill) Attended FCC meeting on Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements. PS Docket No.07-114 Attended FCC meeting on Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet. (no bill)

Contacted: Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Treasury, Dept of; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Health Issues HCR

Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to expand Medicaid. Discussed employer wellness programs and the ACA. (no bill) Responded to inquiry regarding marketplaces. (no bill) H.R. 1270, The Restoring Access to Medications Act - Discussed bill with Hill staffers. H.R. 2, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Discussed Sustainable Growth Rate with Hill staffers. Discussed Medicare Supplemental Insurance with Hill staffers. (no bill) Discussed the Affordable Care Act with Hill staffers. (no bill) Discussed Medicare Advantage with Hill staffers. (no bill) S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect various programs serving Americans age 50 and above, including employment training, health and human services, and energy assistance for seniors, the disabled and other low-income assistance. H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking. H.R. 2570, Strengthening Medicare Advantage through Innovation and Transparency for Seniors of 2015 - staff discussions. H.R. 2581, Preservation of Access for Seniors in Medicare Advantage Act of 2015 - staff discussion. H.R. 588, Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015 - staff discussions. Sent email communication about AARP paper on generic drug prices. Sent email communication on the 21st Century Cures legislation. Sent invitation for the AARP Foundation and Feeding Americas Facing Hunger After Fifty briefing. HR 1270, S.709 - Restoring Access to Medication Act - meetings, calls and emails urging support. H.R. 3590, Helping Every American Limit Their Health Expenses Act - Provided feedback to members offices. S.1397, Value Based Insurance Design Seniors Copayment Reduction Act of 2015 - met with Senate Finance Committee D and R Staff and spoke with personal staff on both sides. Reached out to W&M staff on Cadillac Tax. Provided feedback to staff on draft bill to provide safe harbor to HSA use in high-deductible health plans. Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to expand Medicaid. Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives (no bill number). S. 192, Discussed Older Americans Act reauthorization legislation. Discussed older worker employment programs including the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) under the Older Americans Act. Discussed nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). H.R.1220, S.624, Discussed the removing barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Treasury, Dept of; Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); SENATE; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Bills named: H.R. 2 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th), S. 624 (114th), H.R. 2570 (114th), H.R. 588 (114th), H.R. 1220 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), H.R. 1270 (114th), H.R. 3590 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 192 (114th), S. 709 (114th), S. 1397 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), H.R. 2581 (114th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

H.R. 2995, S. 2910, S.2132, H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Financial Services, General Government Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect funding for SEC, CFIC and CFPB consumer protection programs. Met with Senate staff on consumer protection issues, financial scams and fraud (no bill).

Contacted: Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Treasury, Dept of; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S. 2910 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), H.R. 2995 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Lobbied on House/Senate Budget proposals to cut SNAP funding in FY 2016 or block grant funds to states. (no bill) Discussed Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act and other items regarding FY 2016 federal budget proposals. (no bill) H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Budget Resolution, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors. Lobbied to urge Congress to reallocate OASDI funding to SSDI trust funds without imposing barriers to claims processing or reduction of benefits. (no bill) H.R. 2577, S. 2129, Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations/FY2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors. H.R. 2995, S. 1910, S. 2132, H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, Financial Services, General Government Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding levels for various programs serving seniors and in support of consumer protection agencies. H.R. 2578, Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Committee, FY 2016 - Lobbied for funding for various programs and agencies serving seniors. H.R. 2822, S. 1645,Interior and Environment Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied in opposition to inclusion of riders restricting equal access to justice and in support of weatherization programs. Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies, Appropriations, FY 2016 - Lobbied to protect funding for nutrition and housing assistance programs for seniors. H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for various programs serving older and low-income Americans. Also lobbied to protect access to affordable health care and financial security, including support of DOL's conflict of interest rulemaking.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); White House Office

Bills named: S. 1645 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), H.R. 2822 (114th), S. 2129 (114th), H.R. 2578 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 1910 (114th), H.R. 2995 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th), H.R. 2577 (114th), S. 2132 (114th)

Family issues/Abortion/Adoption FAM

H.R. 3099, S.1719, Discussed RAISE Family Caregivers Act and urged cosponsorship. Sent endorsement letter. Discussed proposed tax credit for family caregivers. (no bill) Discussed a national strategy to support family caregiving bill. S.192, Discussed support for Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act. Urged joining the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. (no bill) H.R. 2668, Discussed National Care Corps Act. Discussed hosting CMS Family Caregiving meeting and possible dates. (no bill) H.R. 2894, Discussed the CARE for All Veterans Act. Lobbying to secure a bipartisan Social Security Disability Insurance funding solution in 2015. H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbies to protect Older Americans Act program funding. Shared invitations for family caregiving forum (ACL, CMS, VA, House and Senate). Discussed participation of Members of Congress in national forum on family caregiving. (no bill) Extended invitations to Portraits of Care reception and discussed room/event logistics. (no bill) Reached out to VA and CMS to participate in virtual caregiving fair. (no bill) Shared policy ideas on family caregiving and LTSS including the Care Planning Act (S.1599), Community Based Independence for Seniors Act (S. 704), Medicare Adult Day Services Act (H.R. 1383), National Care Corps Act (H.R. 2668), RAISE Family Caregivers Act (no bill), and the Long Term Care Veterans Choice Act (H.R. 294).

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); White House Office; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Treasury, Dept of; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Bills named: H.R. 3020 (114th), S. 704 (114th), S. 1599 (114th), H.R. 2894 (114th), H.R. 2668 (114th), H.R. 294 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), S. 192 (114th), H.R. 3099 (114th), H.R. 1383 (114th), S. 2132 (114th), S. 1719 (114th)

Government Issues GOV

Discussed increasing senior representation in CDC studies and supported public participation in samples. (no bill) AARP opposed House/Senate proposals to cut SNAP and Health Disparities interventions. (no bill)

Contacted: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Treasury, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Communicated with Department of Labor on minimum wage and overtime for home care workers and related litigation. H.R. 3020, S. 1695, S.2132, Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY2016 - Lobbied to prevent inclusion of riders which would prevent agency enforcement of employment benefits and protections. Communicated with Senate staff regarding support for the reintroduction of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Communicated with congressional staff regarding comments of Members of Congress on the EEOC's proposed regulations on workplace wellness programs. Communicated with House staff in support of DOL proposal to extend overtime protections to more workers. Communicated with Senate staff regarding support for the reintroduction of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. Communicated with congressional staff regarding comments of Members of Congress on the EEOC's proposed regulations on workplace wellness programs.

Contacted: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); White House Office; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Bills named: S. 2132 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), H.R. 3020 (114th)

Pharmacy PHA

H.R. 6, Discussed the House Energy and Commerce Committee 21st Century Cures Initiative and Senate HELP Committee efforts focused on drug and medical device innovation issues. Discussed the importance of potential savings to both consumers and the federal government of granting Secretarial negotiating authority to the HHS Secretary under Medicare Part D. (no bill) Discussed legislation to address pay-for-delay agreements used by drug manufacturers to block lower cost drugs from entering the market. Discussed the exclusivity period for biologic drugs (no bill). Discussed biologic drug issues including implementation of the new approval pathway for biosimilar drugs. Discussed other prescription drug issues and potential legislation on drug importation and least costly alternative payment for Part B drugs (no bill). Discussed the need for data transparency on prescription drug prices and comparativeness effectiveness research. Discussed patent reform legislation (S. 1137, the PATENT Act and H.R. 9, Innovation Act) and related provisions on the Patent and Trademark Office inter partes review (IPR) process and proposed exemptions for brand name drug patents.

Contacted: SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Treasury, Dept of; Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); White House Office; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: H.R. 6 (114th), H.R. 9 (114th), S. 1137 (114th)

Welfare WEL

Lobbied against cuts to SNAP. (no bill) Discussed AARP's opposed re-opening any portion of the enacted 2014 Farm Bill. (no bill) S. 2100, Discussed a bill to raise the tobacco age to 21. H.R. 3020, S.1695, S. 2132, H.Con.Res.27, S.Con.Res.11, FY2016 - Lobbied to protect and enhance funding for needs-based nutrition, social services and home energy assistance and SSA operations. Also lobbied to prevent inclusion of policy riders, including a provision which would restrict DOL rulemaking regarding its conflict of interest rule.

Contacted: Government Accountability Office (GAO); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Treasury, Dept of; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 3020 (114th), S. 1695 (114th), S. 2100 (114th), H.Con.Res. 27 (114th), S.Con.Res. 11 (114th), S. 2132 (114th)