AARP for AARP

Government Issues GOV

Discussed AARP's 2009 Advocacy Agenda with members of Congress and their staff. (No bill) Discussed using plain language in financial disclosure (no bill)

Contacted: Government Accountability Office (GAO); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of the Vice President of the United States; SENATE; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Federal Reserve System; Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities FIN

Discussed stranger owned life insurance (no bill). Discussed suitability of sale of annuities (no bill).

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Treasury, Dept of; SENATE; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties CIV

S.18/H.R.11, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Lobbied in support of legislation that would restore more equitable standards for plaintiffs alleging workplace discrimination. H.R. 12, Paycheck Fairness Act - Lobbied in support for legislation that would expand remedies for plaintiffs alleging workplace discrimination. Discussed age discrimination and workforce protections (no bill).

Contacted: Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Reserve System; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Treasury, Dept of; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: H.R. 12 (111th), S. 18 (111th), H.R. 11 (111th)

Transportation TRA

S. 584/H.R. 1443 Complete Streets Act of 2009-Directs States and Metropolitan Planning Organization to adopt complete Streets policies within two years to ensure improvements are made to federally-funded roadways to ensure that potential users of all ages and abilities can travel safely and conveniently. Discussed legislation to be introduced to provide a five-year reauthorization of the expiring SAFTEA-LU legislation. AARP interests include increasing funding for public transit and para-transit services, promotion of older driver and pedestrian safety, and strengthened connections between transportation and land use. (no bill) Older Driver and Pedestrian Safty and Roadway Enhancement Act - Discussed legislation to be introduced to provide funding to states to implement roadway safety recommendations for unsafe intersections and roadways based on the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians. (no bill)

Contacted: Treasury, Dept of; Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Federal Reserve System; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); SENATE; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: H.R. 1443 (111th), S. 584 (111th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Lobbied for introduction for legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit. (no bill) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding table s that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed tax assistance funding. (no bill) Discussed tax credits for caregivers.

Contacted: Treasury, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); White House Office; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); SENATE; Federal Reserve System; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Retirement RET

H.R.1159, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for investments lost in a fraudulent Ponzi-type scheme-Contacted Congressman's Meek's office to explore support of a bill that offers some relief to victims of Ponzi schemes. Lobbied for reintroduction of auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees (no bill). Lobbied for introduction of legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it. Discussed Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; and on the inappropriate application of withholding tables that implement Make Work Pay to pension and other retirement income. (no bill) Met with DPC staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 5o million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Met with the Vice-President's staff on: Auto-IRA, a bill that would require an automatic workplace retirement savings plan for an estimated 50 million employees; legislation that would end the age cap in the earned income tax credit; legislation that would expand the savers credit so that more modest income individuals can benefit from it; weatherization; modernizing the poverty measure; and modernizing the asset tests that are used to determine eligibility for federal benefits. (no bill) Discussed the need for bipartisan action on long-term financial security. (no bill) Discussed Social Security options that are preferred by AARP to educate members with inquiries.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Reserve System; White House Office; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: H.R. 1159 (111th)

Telecommunications TEC

H. R. 681, Digital Transition Extension Act of 2009/S. 328, DTV Delay Act - Lobbied for an extension of the transition date for converting television signals from analog to digital-only transmissions until June 12, 2009, and extends authority to NTIA to issue digital signal converter box coupons and permit consumers to reaply for expired converter box coupons.

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Federal Reserve System; Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Social Security Administration (SSA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: S. 328 (111th), H.R. 681 (111th)

Health Issues HCR

H.R.1256, Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act - Discussed legislation that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the regulation of tobacco products by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including through disclosure, annual registration, inspection, recordkeeping, and user fee requirements. Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). Discussed the need for bipartisan action on health care reform legislation, such as affordable and accessible quality healthcare (no bill). Discussed healthcare reform and issues around the public plan option (no bill).

Contacted: Labor, Dept of (DOL); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); White House Office; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Treasury, Dept of; Social Security Administration (SSA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Federal Reserve System; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: H.R. 1256 (111th)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

S.330/H.R.684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation which would create a government-operated Medicare prescription drug plan. Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). S.683/H.R.1670, Community Choice Act - Engaged in discussions about the bill and it's provisions to balance Medicaid. Discussed ideas to balance state long-term care systems (no bill). Discussed chronic care issues and caregiver assessment in Medicaid (no bill). Discussed challenges to replication of the PACE program. Discussed lessons learned from PACE that could be applicable to dual eligible SNPs (no bill). S.750, Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act - Discussed reintroduction of the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act. S.245/S.434/S.631, Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act, the Empowered at Home Act, the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act, and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and shared endorsement letters. Discussed co-sponsors of Medicaid HCBS legislation. S.631, Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act - Lobbied for legislation on criminal background checks for employees of long-term care providers and specific bill provisions. Long-Term Care Tax Reduction Act (no bill number) - Discussed provisions and potential changes to a bill that allows tax free withdrawals from retirement accounts to pay for private long-term care insurance. Discussed system delivery reform in health care reform. Discussed health care reform substance and process (no bill). Discussed Budget Committee letter on health care reform, shared AARP's position on the budget and health care reform, discussed upcoming LTC hearing and witnesses. S. 697, Class Act - Discussed this bill and recent AARP testimony. Independence at Home Act (no bill number) - Discussed AARP's support for this Medicare care coordination bill and urged co-sponsorship. Discussed healthcare coverage for the 50-64 year old population (no bill).

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Social Security Administration (SSA); White House Office; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Reserve System; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL)

Bills named: H.R. 684 (111th), S. 631 (111th), S. 683 (111th), S. 330 (111th), S. 245 (111th), S. 697 (111th), H.R. 1670 (111th), S. 750 (111th), S. 434 (111th)

Housing HOU

S.61/H.R. 200 Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2009, H. R. 225 Emergency Homeownership and Equity Protection Act - Discussed legislation to amend the Bankruptcy Code to permit changes in the terms of mortgages for a debtor's primary residence in Chapter 13 proceedings. H.R. 527 Home Retention and Economic Stabilization Act - Discussed legislation to permit deferrals on certain home mortgage foreclosures for a limited period to allow homeowners to take remedial action and to require home mortgage servicers to provide homeowners with advance notice of any upcoming reset of the mortgage interest rate. S. 118 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act - Discussed 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. S. 117 Forclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation to protect homeowners facing foreclosure from foreclosure consultant frauds that result in excessive fees, shifting of ownership or liens in a home, or other loss to the homeowner. H.R. 1408 Inclusive Home Design Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation to require all newly constructed and federally-assisted single-family house to meet minimum standards of accessibility and visitability by persons with disabilities. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program Amendments - Discussed draft amendments to unintroduced housing legislation to change calculation of premium costs relating to reverse mortgages for manufactured housing units on fixed foundations under HUD's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program (no bill).

Contacted: Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Reserve System; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: H.R. 527 (111th), S. 61 (111th), H.R. 225 (111th), S. 118 (111th), H.R. 200 (111th), S. 117 (111th), H.R. 1408 (111th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

H.R.1/S.1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - AARP interest in the economic stimulus legislation included funding for Department of Transportation transit and paratransit programs, digital television conversion, DOE Weatherization program assistance, State energy efficiency grants and revenue decoupling proposals, public housing capital assistance, Neighborhood Revitalization Program funding and HUD assisted housing energy efficiency rehabilitation. Reached out for assistance in determining which children, if any, were excluded from receiving a $250 payment. Legislation would also provide $1.1 billion in funding for comparative effectiveness research and health information technology. Lobbied for Senior Community Service Employment program funding. H.R. 1388/S. 277 Edward M. Kennedy Service America Act - Will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities to address pressing national, state and local needs, enhance service opportunities for persons age 50+ so that they can apply a lifetime of acquired skills; and improve the capacity of non-profit, service and philanthropic organizations to recruit, manage and apply volunteer skills to identified service needs. H.R. 476, Safeguarding America's Seniors and Veterans Act of 2009 - Strategized, assisted in drafting provisions, and drafted letter of support for legislation that would provide a recovery payment to retirees, people with disabilities, and veterans. S.Con.Res. 13/H.Con.Res. 85, Concurrent Budget Resolution for FY 2010 - Lobbied in support of federal budget for fiscal year 2010, particularly with regard to health care reform, transportation reauthorization and social security agency funding. Lobbied for nursing education funding (HRSA) in the conference negotiations for the economic stimulus package.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Social Security Administration (SSA); Treasury, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Reserve System; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Bills named: S. 277 (111th), H.R. 476 (111th), H.R. 1 (111th), S. 1 (111th), H.R. 1388 (111th), S.Con.Res. 13 (111th), H.Con.Res. 85 (111th)

Environment/Superfund ENV

H. R. 1329/S. 575 Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act (Clean Tea) - Discussed legislation that would require states and regional and local governments with a population over 200,000 to establish a goal of reducing emissions from the transportation sector and develop a transportation greenhouse gas reduction plan and includes funds to implement such plans.

Contacted: Government Accountability Office (GAO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Labor, Dept of (DOL); White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Treasury, Dept of

Bills named: H.R. 1329 (111th), S. 575 (111th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

H.R.627, Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 - Discussed transparency in credit cards contracts.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Labor, Dept of (DOL); SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Reserve System; Social Security Administration (SSA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Bills named: H.R. 627 (111th)

Energy/Nuclear ENG

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Discussion of proposals to reauthorize the LIHEAP program to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs. H. R. 1573 National Home Energy Revolving Fund - Discussed legislation to establish the National Home Energy Savings Revolving Fund within the Department of Energy to provide amounts to units of general local government to make loans to homeowners for qualified home energy audits and certified energy savings improvements, and for other purposes. Climate Change Legislative Proposals - Discussion of draft House Energy and Commerce Committee proposals on climate change to create a federal cap and trade program to distribute 100% of carbon permits and distribute at least 90% of total auction proceeds in the form of dividends to every American with a Social Security number.

Contacted: White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Reserve System; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Social Security Administration (SSA)

Bills named: H.R. 1573 (111th)

Pharmacy PHA

S.525/H.R. 1298, Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation which would create a system of safe importation of prescription drugs from abroad. S.726/H.R.1427, Promoting Innovation and Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act - Discussed legislation which would create a pathway for the approval of safe, effective biosimilar and generic biologic drugs. H.R.1706, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation that would prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market, and for other purposes. S. 369, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act - Discussed legislation that would prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market,and for other purposes. S.515/H.R.1260, Patent Reform Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation that would amend federal patent law to rewrite provisions concerning the conditions for patentability. Specifically, AARP weighed in on the inequitable conduct provisions of the legislation. S. 301, Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation that would provide for disclosure of gifts given by pharmaceutical and device manufacturers to physicians.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; White House Office; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Federal Reserve System; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of the Vice President of the United States; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Treasury, Dept of

Bills named: S. 525 (111th), H.R. 1706 (111th), S. 726 (111th), S. 369 (111th), H.R. 1260 (111th), S. 515 (111th), S. 301 (111th), H.R. 1298 (111th), H.R. 1427 (111th)

Torts TOR

S.540/H.R.1346, Medical Device Safety Act - Legislation would make clear congressional intent that state tort claims are not preempted by the FFDCA. S.512, Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act - Introduction of bill to prevent pre-dispute arbitration agreements with LTC facility and residents. H.R.1237, Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act - Urged co-sponsorship of bill to prevent pre-dispute arbitration clauses in LTC facility contracts.

Contacted: White House Office; Labor, Dept of (DOL); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Treasury, Dept of; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Social Security Administration (SSA); Federal Reserve System; Government Accountability Office (GAO); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Bills named: S. 540 (111th), H.R. 1346 (111th), H.R. 1237 (111th), S. 512 (111th)