shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

Today, Senator McCain was at the Families USA and the Federation of American Hospitals Forum on Health Care talking about the importance of the private market in health care. He mentioned the importance of the safety net, as well as bringing down costs.

We’ll keep pressing for more details, but glad he’s out there talking about it.

More debating last night from the Democratic Presidential candidates, with Social Security taking center stage for part of the evening. For those of you who were out trick-or-treating early, AARP comments here, and a sampling of some other folks:

Marc Ambinder with a quick replay;

NBC on Senator Obama and Social Security;

The Politico on Senator Clinton and Social Security;

And just because... Ed Morrissey at Captain's Quarters on how you know there has been too many debates.

Associated Press: Bill Makes Do Not Call Listings Forever

David Certner, legal policy director at AARP, says many people don't know about the need to re-register every five years. So the legislation, he says, is important.

"People don't want these unwanted calls," Certner said. "For an older person, sometimes it's more than just a bother. It can be a great inconvenience to try to get to a phone only to find out it's simply a call you don't want to receive in the first place."

Associated Press: Boomers Buying Long-Term Care Coverage

Average Age of People Buying Long-Term Care Benefits Falls Below 60 Years for the First Time

Associated Press: Bush Balks at Revised Child Health Bill

President Bush told Republican lawmakers on Tuesday he will not agree to legislation expanding children's health insurance if it includes a tobacco tax increase, a decision that virtually ensures a renewed veto struggle with the Democratic-controlled Congress.

The Hill: Physician groups seek quicker action on Medicare payment fix

Lobbyists for physician interests are growing increasingly anxious that Congress won’t act fast enough to prevent a 10 percent cut in doctors’ Medicare fees in 2008.

Today, the Senate Budget Committee is going to be talking about the long term challenges of Medicare and Social Security, with lotsa folks testifying, including AARP CEO Bill Novelli. Starts now, you can watch here.

Yesterday, Ray linked to the Robert Ball column in the Washington Post, which caused comments aplenty in the blogosphere yesterday.

Some highlights:

Kevin Drum, Political Animal recognizing the challenges for Social Security are not insurmountable

Jared Bernstein, TPM Café on Social Security and its’ connection to tax policy.

Brian Angliss, Scholars and Rogues calling for politicians to make the hard choices.

Enjoy!

Washington Post: A Can't-Miss Event for the Next President

If I had the power to summon all 16 of the people running for president to be in one place, I would want them in a Senate hearing room for a session that is taking place tomorrow morning.

US News & World Report: How to Avoid a Death Trap

But choose wisely, warns Jean Setzfand, director of financial security for AARP. Indeed, many financial institutions now require an in-person meeting to confirm that the person is a credible agent, she says.

New York Times: Looking at Dutch and Swiss Health Systems

His visit arose, health department officials said, because policy experts here have promoted Swiss and Dutch changes as models.

Wall Street Journal: Some No-Brainer Savings Ideas

The average Social Security benefit is about $11,000 a year. It is meant to supplement retirement, not fund it altogether, yet half of all families have no other savings in retirement accounts. People who do set money aside are not putting away nearly enough; half report savings of less than $25,000.

The Clinton campaign has put together it’s own ad on Social Security- link here.

The candidates are continuing to talk about the issues… Senator Barack Obama has a new ad about Social Security and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has a new ad on health care. Good to see candidates focusing on health and financial security; we look forward to hearing more about these issues in the coming weeks and months.

Washington Times: AARP magazine targets 'new 50'

"We are experiencing a lot of change in our society," says Emilio Pardo, the AARP's chief brand officer who is leading efforts to attract a younger and highly engaged clientele, which he calls "the new 50." "In many ways, you have not only boomers redefining retirement but also redefining life stages."

Washington Post: A Social Security Fix For 2008

Social Security benefits are modest by any measure and are already being cut -- by raising the age of eligibility for full benefits and by deducting ever-rising Medicare premiums from benefit checks. So the benefits provided for under present law will replace, on average, a lower percentage of prior earnings than in the past. To cut them further would undermine all that Social Security has achieved -- exposing millions of vulnerable people, both elderly and disabled, to needless economic hardship.

Wall Street Journal: Pay to Be Taxed By Social Security Breaks $100,000

If you're working on your budget for next year, here's something to keep in mind: Nearly 12 million people will have to pay higher Social Security tax.

Associated Press: Edwards: 2-year ban on new drug ads

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Sunday that prescription drug companies should wait two years to begin advertising their new products to consumers.

Kaiser Family Foundation has a new poll on the issues that the public wants to see Congress take action on. Big shock, the top domestic issue is health care for Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Just another reminder about how important this issue is to voters.

Lots of coverage in today’s papers on last night’s forum in Sioux City where McCain and Huckabee talked about health and financial security issues. The highlight comes from CNN: Huckabee says, "I think that frankly they're the losers for not being here," Huckabee told reporters following the forum. "I thought the format was the most refreshing we've had in this entire presidential campaign."
According to exit polls, roughly 1 in 4 voters in the 2006 election were AARP members, so maybe he's onto something...

SCHIP is again alive, if only for a short time. Still has to go back through the legislative wringer, but let's keep our fingers crossed for the 10 million kids who need health coverage.

It used to be that bells and whistles that made cars safer were only for the high rollers. No more. Today’s NY Times highlights what Detroit and others are offering drivers in new cars to make them safer and easier to drive. Among the toys are: cameras that see behind you and steering that can help prevent or correct a skid. Pretty cool, huh?

What’s key here is that the automotive industry recognizes that the needs of drivers is changing. People want to stay mobile as long as possible and “smarter” cars can help them do just that.

An interesting article this week in The New Republic by Jonathan Chait about what he deems “entitlement hysteria”. He brings up, correctly, that there’s a lot of talk, but not a lot of action in Washington on the long term health of Medicare and Social Security. Chait also argues that the reason for inaction is a lack of urgency and a lack of permanency. While this is somewhat true (nothing will fall apart tomorrow), what Chait is off on is the impact. For many (especially considering the housing market AND lack of savings), Social Security may be even more important in the future. While people still need to save and build a nest egg for themselves, they also need something they can rely on in retirement, which is what Social Security is all about.

When it comes to Medicare, Chait is right on – the biggest challenge to the future of Medicare, and health care more generally, is cost. That’s why it’s time the Presidential candidates start to address this issue, as well as financial security. The cost of inaction is too high, not just for us, but for the next generation.

The Hill: Social Security COLA fails to keep up with rising costs

Last week we learned how much next year’s Social Security checks will be, based on the program’s annual cost of living adjustment (COLA). The average benefit will increase 2.3 percent, not enough to help many beneficiaries keep up with the rising costs of energy and food.

Bloomberg: Medicare Advantage Plans Backed by Program's Elderly Recipients

AARP, the largest lobbying group for older Americans, wants to reduce payments to insurers for the Advantage programs, saying the money should be used to keep down Medicare premiums.

"We believe that the $54 billion in excess payments over the next five years can be better spent improving the Medicare program,'' said Andrew Nannis, a spokesman for the group, in an interview.

The Hill: Democrats tweak SCHIP in effort to override veto

“Everything we’ve been doing, we’ve continued doing,” a spokesman for the AARP said. Those activities have included dispatching their formidable lobbying team to shore up support on Capitol Hill for the SCHIP bill, print and TV ad campaigns and grassroots activity.

Bloomberg: Frank Says Mortgage Bill Needed to Restore Confidence

U.S. Representative Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, defended mortgage legislation introduced this week, saying new rules are needed to prevent future abuses and restore investor confidence.

Ray highlighted it this morning – Larry Lipman’s Medicare Monitor talking about the recent ads by AARP and the AMA on limiting payments to Medicare Advantage plans. What’s it all about? Basically insurance companies are getting paid to the tune of $54 billion while people who receive Medicare have seen their premiums double since 2000. Something is out of whack when the insurance companies are getting the gravy and the Medicare beneficiaries are getting stuck with the bill.

Today, Congress is hard at work talking (not doing anything just yet) on financial security issues, including mortgage reform, retirement plans, and 401k fees. Why should we care? If you want to even think about retiring, you have to consider getting a mortgage and saving for retirement. How can Congress help? By passing legislation regulating predatory lending and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to save. We’ll keep you posted on what they’re doing.

Austin American-Statesman: AARP ad focuses on Medicare Advantage

AARP is launching a series of ads in newspapers that circulate on Capitol Hill in an effort to persuade lawmakers to cut payments to Medicare Advantage plans.

The ads argue that insurance companies, not Medicare beneficiaries, are the ones who benefit from the higher payments that Medicare Advantage plans receive.

Politico: New bills aim to help delinquent borrowers

In addition to backing the bankruptcy changes, AARP also supports a long-term approach to prevent predatory lending, proposed in a bill by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).

“This is a pretty broad issue, and we are making a broad campaign,” said AARP Federal Affairs Director David Certner.

Washington Post: Car Advice for Older Drivers

AAA says the CarFit® program was created by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with AAA Mid-Atlantic, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

MSNBC: US healthcare burden is 'causing pension cutbacks'

The rising cost of healthcare is cutting into Americans' ability to contribute to their retirement accounts and save for other long-term expenses, according to a survey to be released on Wednesday.

While some of the candidates might be lame for not attending the AARP Iowa issues forum, there is good news. The event will now be a forum with Senator John McCain and former Governor Mike Huckabee talking about health and financial security issues AND it will be online.

Be sure to check out the webcast this Thursday, October 25th at 7PM CT (8PM ET).

I know it is close to 80 degrees in most of the northeast today, but eventually it will get cold. And some people have trouble affording keeping their homes heated. According to a recent blog posting by David Certner, funding for LIHEAP isn’t keeping up.

Winter doesn't mess around. That’s why Congress shouldn’t mess around either.

Presidential candidates are out and about chattering about health and financial security. The latest? Senator Biden is expected to announce his health care plan in Iowa today. And former Senator Fred Thompson was just out and about in Florida talking about Social Security yesterday.

It’s great that candidates are talking about these issues, now we need to hear some details. And see some action.

CNNMoney.com: Facing up to the costs of long-term care

"You are more or less married to an insurer and you can't really change," says John Rother, director of policy and strategy for AARP, the retirees' lobby.

New York Times: A Few Lessons on Saving, Courtesy of Employers

AARP noted that nearly all the 50 companies that made its 2007 list of best employers for workers older than 50 listed financial planning information or training as a benefit.

New York Times: A Place in the Sun (and Close to Campus)

As the AARP Magazine has pointed out, boomers are a demanding, some might say spoiled, generation. One of the magazine’s surveys found that boomers sought places with a “youthful vibe,” great medical facilities, cultural and educational opportunities, and sophisticated restaurants — not your conventional retirement community.

New York Times: For Love and a Little Money

“People used to say, ‘Here I am, what do you need done?’ ” said Deborah Russell, director of work-force issues for AARP. “Today’s retirees say, ‘Here’s what I do well, how can you use it, and what will you pay?’ ”

Washington Post: In the Storm of Divorce, a Parent and Grandparent Can Offer Safe Haven

Know your rights. You don't really have any. According to the Grandparent Information Center on the AARP Web site: "Grandparents do not have an automatic legal right to visit with their grandchildren." This is why you need to overcome your sorrow and build working relationships with your adult child, with the ex, the new partner and the in-law grandparents.

AP reported that AARP, along with IPTV have retooled the previously scheduled debate to a candidates forum with Senator John McCain and former Governor Mike Huckabee. The candidates will talk about health and financial security issues.

AARP members in IA will be lucky to hear from these two candidates on the issues, but those who are not attending are really missing out on talking to an important constituency in the state. It’s their loss.

Blogs have been talking about 10 Questions, a new opportunity for people to ask the candidates questions about the issues they care about. It is sponsored by blogs from both sides of the aisle, as well as the mainstream media and looks like it will be quite interesting and, more importantly, another forum to get candidates to address health and financial security.

Intro video below, check it out!

Los Angeles Times: A friendly town among the hills

Line Vreven, director of international affairs at AARP, the Washington-based advocacy group for the 39 million Americans ages 50 or older, noted that Panama recently reduced the length of tourist visas to 30 days from 60 days, making shopping for a house more complicated and pressure-packed for newcomers.

Washington Examiner: Power Profile: Bill Novelli: Former ad man unites AARP’s 38 million members in pursuit of retirement security

Novelli walks a tightrope in many aspects of his job. He has managed to bring together organizations as diametrically dissimilar as the Business Roundtable and the Service Employees International Union, persuading them to join with AARP in an alliance called Divided We Fail that pushes for affordable health care and long-term financial security.

New York Times: Health Plan Used by U.S. Is Debated as a Model

While health policy experts acknowledge that the federal employees’ program could be a workable way to reach some of the uninsured, they also say there is nothing about it that would help address what they see as an underlying reason for the growing numbers of uninsured: the nation’s runaway medical costs. And without major changes, they say, the model would be sharply limited in achieving the goal of universal coverage for all Americans.

Washington Post: Leavitt's Healthy Vision

Leavitt, who on this occasion said not a word about the SCHIP veto override attempt then looming before Congress, instead described what he and his colleagues are doing to prepare for the coming revolution in health care in this country. It is a story that, while less publicized than the SCHIP fight, holds promise of a better day not just for children but for all Americans.

Marketwatch: U.S. House Fails To Override Children's Insurance Veto

Bill Novelli, chief executive of AARP, echoed Reid's comments.

"In a time when health care is at the top of the national agenda, a small group of lawmakers have actually voted to add to the 47 million Americans living without health insurance," he said. "No child deserves that."

Associated Press: McCain Rules Out Independent Bid

''The problem with health care in America is not the quality, it's the cost,'' he told a crowded auditorium of mostly students and employees. ''More and more Americans are without insurance because they can't afford it. So our job, in my view, is to make it affordable and available, not to have a big government single-payer system.''

Chicago Tribune: This senior class grayer, and still hungry to learn

Call it the graying of community colleges. With more free time on their hands, more retirees, many in their 70s or older, are finding their way back to the classroom. Community colleges are creating or expanding special programs to meet their needs, offering courses on everything from the Crusades to square dancing.

I’m not prone to quoting directly from the hymnal, but today AAEP CEO Bill Novelli called this one right – “Disgraceful.”

This was his comment after the House failed to override the President’s veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and I can’t disagree. Millions of children have the opportunity to have health insurance and today their opportunity was denied.

Shameful.

New poll out of Florida today, with AARP members (both Democrats and Republicans) saying that they are likely to change their vote on key issues like health and financial security. What’s really interesting is that voters say they don’t know enough about candidate positions on these issues to make a choice. Sounds like voters are waiting for the candidates to talk about these issues before they are going to make any decisions.

Politico: Tobacco companies win in SCHIP fight

In addition to the television ad campaign it is running with the AMA, AARP’s lobbying effort will also include office visits to lawmakers, forums in targeted states and direct mail and e-mail pushes, said the group’s spokesman, Drew Nannis.

“To give people in Medicare access to doctors and to protect premiums, Congress should stop subsidizing private insurance companies in Medicare with excess payments,” Nannis said.

Associated Press: Social Security Only Going Up 2.3 Pct.

David Sloane, director of government relations for AARP, which represents people 50 and older, said the cost-of-living adjustment is critical because so many depend on Social Security for most of their retirement income.

Associated Press: Digital TV Switch Needs More Awareness

But Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said in prepared testimony that the agency is devoting significant resources to ensure a smooth transition and has been actively promoting consumer awareness.

In the last several months, he said agency staff have attended 30 conferences sponsored by various advocacy groups, such as the AARP and National Council of La Raza. They have also reached out to various elderly organizations, minority, non-English and rural communities and people with disabilities as well as through various media outlets, he added.

Associated Press: WH hopefuls prep big spending plans

The top candidates on both sides of the 2008 presidential contest have shown their eagerness to spend tax dollars. But their priorities reflect widely differing views of the role of government in addressing complex problems.

A fresh CNN poll calls it – 61 percent of Americans want Congress to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP. We’ll see what happens, as the vote is scheduled for tomorrow.

The Kasier Family Foundation has put together a nifty online tool to compare the candidates positions on health care.

I expect this to be one of many of these to be coming down the pipeline, so we'll keep you posted as they come online.

As Ray mentioned below, AP is reporting that the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.3 percent for next year. While an increase is important to help people keep up on the cost of basics, this is not enough to keep up with the ever expanding cost of health care. Medicare premiums are going up 3.1 percent next year, so where are folks on a fixed income supposed to find the other one percent? If you’re still working, this might not be a big deal. But for someone on a fixed income, it can’t be easy.

Associated Press: Smaller Social Security COLA in January

A coalition named Divided We Fail has been pressing to make entitlement reform a major issue in the presidential campaign, hoping to force candidates in both parties to address the need for changes in entitlement programs.

"We want to get all of the candidates on the record and we want to let voters make up their own minds," said Jim Dau, an official with AARP, an advocacy group for people 50 and older.

Washington Post: The Unforgotten Man

A conservative case can be made for something like Clinton's proposal. It is a case for reducing the supply of government by reducing demand for it, and doing so by giving people ownership of enlarged private assets as a basis for their security. It is a case for raising the nation's deplorable saving rate and simultaneously encouraging the nation's economic literacy and temperance by giving more people a stake in equities markets.

USA Today: California health reform gets sticky

Health reform efforts in California have become increasingly divisive, possibly jeopardizing major health legislation this year and highlighting the difficulties other state or national reform efforts may face.

Washington Post: Helping Workers Where it Hurts

Car wrecks in the labor market do not take the form of unemployment. In the United States most displaced workers usually find new work reasonably quickly. Rather, the car wreck that threatens U.S. workers consists of wage loss, not job loss.

Iowa’s Republican caucus goers want to hear from the Republican candidates on health and financial security issues. This comes from an AARP poll released today in IA that shows one of every three GOP caucus goers in IA is an AARP member or Divided We Fail volunteer.

So far Sen. Sam Brownback, Sen. John McCain, and former Gov. Mike Huckabee have all said they will attend. Where are the rest of the candidates? It’s a good question, so ask ‘em.

To collect Social Security that is… Yesterday, the first Baby Boomer filed for Social Security. Behind Kathleen Casey-Kirschling are the over 80 million Americans who will retire in the next 20 plus years. Knowing this is coming, it seems like a great time to start looking at the ways to make sure that Social Security is around for the next generation.

Real solutions will involve answering difficult questions and making tradeoffs. So what’s the benefit in this? Making sure your kids will have something they can rely on when they need it.