ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

You absolutely must check out this new video series addressing why health care reform is important, from the voices from experts, physicians, organizations, retirees and others. The first video is below, where folks discuss how health reform will only strengthen Medicare by prescription drug choices, long term care choices and out-of-pocket expenses.

Have you heard of this innovative device from Intel called Health Guide? Read about it in this article from BusinessWeek. It's a device that was being piloted this year to help in the mission to allow seniors to age in place - where they are most comfortable. The Health Guide is like a remote doctor's office that a patient can handle by themselves. It even includes a video phone for patients to chat with their nurse or doctor when anything seems amiss. Check out the article - could be the future of caregiving!

We also told you about the Wall Street Journal's series "Laid off and Looking" previously; and today's guest blogger on the series is talking about looking for work in your 50s. The blogger talks about how so much experience in your pocket can actually work against you in your job search. Have you been searching fruitlessly for employment and found that age is affecting you? Share your "looking for work" stories here and on WSJ's blog.

Have a great weekend.

Thanksgiving is coming up folks, it's time to prepare!

If you're having any thoughts or questions about health care reform, join our Health Action Now Mythbusters group, an online space not only where we'll be posting updates of our myth v. facts campaign, but also so AARP members can discuss the issues surrounding reform.

Also check out our Health Action Now campaign site for more information about the health care crisis and why reform is needed.

So far the House and the Senate have both passed legislation that will provide relief for millions of Americans still looking for a job out there. Extending unemployment benefits could help nearly 2 million people age 55 and over who have a particularly difficult time gaining employment. As we now know, these workers wait an average of 33 weeks or longer before finding another job, higher than most age groups.

This is definitely a step in the right direction with unemployment soaring. Are you having a hard time finding a job? Other than unemployment benefits, be sure to check out our work pages at aarp.org for info and help on how to land your next big gig.

From AARP CEO, Barry Rand

We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors. We've read the Affordable Health Care for America Act and we can say with confidence that it meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage.

Today's endorsement marks the first time in this legislative battle that AARP has put its full weight behind a comprehensive health care reform package. In the coming days, AARP will be educating its members about the health care reform package through its publications, paid advertising and more than five million calls and e-mails to its grassroots activists.

As members of the House gear up for this historic vote, they will hear from older Americans.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act contain critical components AARP has been fighting for on behalf of its members and all older Americans to improve health care for them and their families. They include:

• Protecting and strengthening Medicare for today's seniors and future generations of retirees;


• Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare's payments to doctors;


• Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" and allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug makers for lower drug prices;


• Taking steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program;


• Requiring Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge;


• Stopping insurance companies from denying you affordable coverage because of your age;


• Preventing insurance companies from denying you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition or dropping your coverage if you get sick;


• Limiting how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket;


• Providing affordable health insurance options for those who don't have insurance; and


• Providing benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities by establishing the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program.

We cannot continue to let insurers price older Americans out of the market, just as we cannot stand idle while millions of seniors are forced to choose between their groceries and their prescriptions. AARP is proud to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, and we urge members of the House to pass this critical package in the coming days to help fix our broken health care system.