shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

Think Progress today points out some confusion about Senator McCain’s position on Social Security. While in a Wall Street Journal interview a few weeks ago, McCain reiterated his support of private accounts. According to Think Progress, yesterday Senator Lieberman was out denying McCain’s stance. Hmm? Cloudy, I’d say.

US News And World Report: AARP Survey Finds Older Americans Will Embrace Technology To Stay At Home

In its "On Medicine" blog, US News And World Report (3/28, Balduaf) reports, "According to a report released Friday by AARP, older people are willing to use devices -- like those that regulate lights and temperature, detect when someone has fallen, or monitor blood pressure -- if doing so will help them" live in their own home. AARP senior vice president for livable communities Elinor Ginzler said, "Here's a population who did not grow up with this technology but is willing to use it to maintain independence, choice, and control." According to Ginzler "the stakes are high." But "adopting devices to make aging at home safer and easier also involves an awareness of what's available. Finding that information, says Ginzler, can be pretty difficult, especially if you're not accustomed to using technology to begin with."

Bloomberg: 1 In 5 College Students Lacks Health Coverage

"About one U.S. college student in five lacks health insurance, leaving the federal government and states to pay for their care," according to a GAO report. The uninsured "were more likely part-time, older, or from families with lower incomes than those with coverage, according to the report." The GAO said that, after treating uninsured patients, health care "providers 'attempt to recover these costs from the insured population in the form of increased fees and insurance premiums, or from federal and state payers, such as Medicaid.'"

USA Today: Large Debate Likely Over New Role For Fed

"Congressional response, though cautiously approving, signaled the likelihood of years of fierce debate." Sen. Charles Schumer "said it doesn't do enough to deal with unregulated investments even experts 'don't fully comprehend,'" while Rep. Barney Frank, who termed the plan "constructive," also "said it 'goes too far in diminishing the role of the states, and not far enough' in new Fed power over non-bank institutions. Many financial groups offered preliminary support, though the American Bankers Association criticized what it called the crippling of state banking charters. The National Association of Mortgage Brokers said it would support a mortgage commission as long as it oversees all players."

I’m always happy to bust myths about technology and the 50-plus set and here’s another one. New studies out today find those who are 65 plus are willing to embrace technology to allow them to age at home. This makes perfect sense, since 90 percent of people want to live at home as long as possible. Technology can monitor a person’s physical condition, dispense medicines, or even provide a social outlet for folks who may be stuck at home.

While there are concerns about cost (as always when it comes to health care), people clearly recognize the value of technology in caregiving. Sounds like a new way to have some peace of mind and grapple with aging family members.

Finally, the moment I know you’ve all been waiting for. Today I am posting on the first place video from the U@50 YouTube Competition, submitted by Iyla Polyakov. Ilya is a film studies major from Emerson. His video, entitled “When I’m 50…” beat out a field of creative and exciting entries to win the competition’s grand prize of $5,000. Make sure to take a look at this video to see its great imagery and hear its uplifting message:

USA Today: Advice On How To Stay Out Of Death Debt

"John Waggoner writes that "if you're carrying a lot of credit card or other debt, your best investment is to pay down that debt." And "even if you pay down your debts gradually, you'll free up money for investing later. Just be careful not to dig yourself a bigger hole than you started with." Waggoner lists five ways to "get out of debt - and five traps that would probably bury you even deeper."

AP: Democratic Candidates Unveil Plans For The Economy

Clinton and Obama said Sen. John McCain "isn't ready or willing to handle an economic emergency." Clinton "focused on job insecurity and said the government needed to take more responsibility for helping displaced workers." Clinton said, "Our government is more focused on how you lost your job than how you can find a new one."

US News And World Report: Labor Unions Are Adapting To Health Care Problems

Michelle Andrews writes that "with organized labor representing only about 15 percent of workers in the United States today, it's worth asking what role it plays in protecting healthcare benefits or setting the agenda for healthcare reform. Are labor unions still relevant?" Yet, last year's agreement between Wal-Mart and the SEIU "to work together toward universal healthcare put paid to the notion that the interests of management and labor are necessarily opposed on this issue." While "unions may have less clout at the bargaining table,...in the political arena organized labor is still a force to be reckoned with, say experts. Labor unions buy advertising and invest in public education campaigns that can influence public opinion."

Congress passed an economic stimulus package, but you gotta fill out a tax form. Confused? Check out AARP’s new tool to help with the economic stimulus payment application process. It’s easy and you might even get a few bucks from the feds for doing it.

It’s coming… in June, Congress will decide whether to increase Medicare premiums yet again to cover the cost of paying doctors more. Jacking up Medicare premiums on seniors because Congress has repeatedly failed to fix a flawed system just doesn’t sound very fair.

Since 2000, the monthly premiums people on Medicare pay has more than doubled and most of these folks have no other option for health care coverage. And paying monthly Medicare premiums is just the tip of the iceberg. .. overall skyrocketing health care costs sting people who are on fixed incomes the most. This typically includes those who are receiving Medicare, with the 65 plus population having an average income of just $25,000 a year. Not much when you have to not only pay premiums, but for things like prescription drugs, deductibles, co-payments, hospital visits.

At the end of the day, 44 million Americans rely on Medicare for affordable health coverage. Excessive premium increases could price people on Medicare out of getting the care they need most.

Washington needs to start tackling the core of the problem, the outrageous cost of health care. But in the interim, they shouldn’t put excessive costs onto seniors because of Congress’ failure to act.

Forbes: Businesses Find Ways To Address Health Care Concerns

"What is the solution for...runaway" health care "costs? Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton propose universal coverage -- effectively nationalization. Clinton further wants mandatory U.S. citizen enrollment under penalty of law, an idea that practically begs us to see Hillary as the hated Nurse Ratched." Yet, "John McCain and most Republicans say little about health care costs. And they are right, to a point. Nothing would be preferable to Hillary Care." Karlgaard writes he spoke recently with Clayton Christensen, professor at Harvard Business School, who said that "American businesses are already solving the problem," by hiring "staff doctors whose main role is to use advanced technology to diagnose employee ills," and then send them to "to the right specialty clinic or hospital--a heart hospital or hernia hospital."

AP: Treasury Secretary Suggests More Regulation For Wall Street

"If big Wall Street investment houses are allowed to run to the Federal Reserve for emergency lending, they must face stepped-up regulation, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson declared Wednesday. The demise of once-mighty Bear Stearns proves 'the world has changed,' underscoring a need for the government to adapt, too, he said." Paulson, in a speech to the US Chamber of Commerce, said the Administration "will soon put forth an oversight blueprint in an effort to promote smoother functioning of financial markets."

US News and World Report: Tips On Avoiding Retirement Mistakes

"A few bad moves can cost you dearly" in retirement. US News cites six "common missteps," including neglecting to create a "comprehensive plan that includes asset allocation and estate planning," and "underestimating life expectancy" and "rising healthcare costs." US News writes, "A 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need about $225,000 just to cover medical costs in retirement, according to Fidelity Investments," and that amount represents a "whopping 41 percent jump from 2002."

It’s early, so I will rain on your parade and get it over with. Yesterday, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees report brought us some not very good news. The Cliff Notes version is that Medicare is facing a tough future, one that's not likely to get any easier if we contine to ignore the elephant in the room: skyrocketing heatlh care costs.
And Social Security also faces a tough outlook. It is a reminder that it’s time for our political leaders to get to work on our nation’s problems. Bottom line, the sooner we tackle these problems, the more feasible the solutions.

People say they are ready for the solution – a new survey out this week by the AFL-CIO on health care says it all. According to U.S. News and World Report:

Among those surveyed, 95 percent said health care in America needed fundamental change or a complete overhaul. Seventy-four percent of 18- to 29-year-olds said health care was a very important election issue, as did 80 percent of 50- to 64-year olds.”

Sounds like pretty much everyone is ready for a change.

Bloomberg News: Entitlement Reform Seen As Unlikely Despite Dire Report

"Spending on Medicare, the U.S. health-care program for the elderly, will reach a legal limit by 2014, requiring the next president to propose changes" to protect the program's financing." The trustee's report "'reaffirms the need to move beyond partisan politics to address the longer term reforms of our health care system and the financial challenges in retirement,' said David Sloane, senior vice president of AARP, the lobbying group for older Americans, in an e-mailed statement."

Washington Times: Times Warns Social Security Will Have To Be Raided To Reach Surplus

"While the CBO predicts the US economy will avoid a recession and that President Bush's budget projects to reach a surplus by 2012, the figures used to reach those assumptions are questionable because, "In addition to defunding the terror war and unleashing the AMT, Congress would have to reduce the explosive growth projections for Medicare and Medicaid that the president has recommended. And legislators would also have to slash inflation-adjusted annual outlays for non-security discretionary spending by more than 20 percent between now and 2013."

USA Today: Candidates Views On Health Care Reform Differ

"Health care consultant Robert Laszewski and Drew Altman, president of the non-partisan Kaiser foundation, and others describe three major areas in which the candidates and their two parties split: The Democratic candidates want to cover all or nearly all people, often by expanding government programs. McCain says worry about costs first and expand coverage later."

Angie’s List, an online tool for consumers to rank painters, plumbers and the like is now creating forums for their users to rank physicians, dentists, pharmacies and health insurers. According to the Indianapolis Star, the founder of the company said this came from customer demand, with nearly three quarters of the website’s customers requesting the information. While Angie’s List is not the only group in the health care ranking business, this new venture is certainly taking a new approach to health care by lumping it in with other types of consumer providers.

Information is power and can help consumers make smarter choices about their health care. That being said, as we all know an experience whether with a doctor or an electrician is certainly a subjective process. Caveat emptor!

There’s been quite the buzz in the blogosphere on Ms. Curtis since Friday, so I thought I would share:

Over at Pink is the New Blog, Trent voices his approval. Va Voom!

Celebrity Mound discusses the pressure women face to look a certain way, regardless of age.

Women’s Voices for Change is grateful that AARP the Magazine is not Penthouse.

Inspiration 365 Days is just that – Inspired!

BusinessWeek: Health Care Industry No Longer Seen As Immune To Recession

It is "accepted wisdom in the financial world that health care, the largest sector of the economy, is the most recession-proof. The thinking is that people get sick no matter what's happening to the economy. That premise holds true to an extent for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, whose drugs are always in demand. But health-care providers are far more vulnerable to economic malady." If there is a recession, "4.2 million people" could lose "health coverage, predicts the Center for Economic & Policy Research, a Washington think tank," and "without insurance, many patients won't be able to pay, leaving hospitals and doctors to absorb the resulting bad debt."

AP: Fed Injects More Cash Into Market Full Of Delinquent Loans

The move's aim "is to inject liquidity into a market that has seized up amid a global credit crunch sparked by rotten U.S. subprime loans." Separately, Fannie Mae reported Monday that "its serious delinquency rate for home loans jumped in January to 1.06% of the $2.9 trillion in mortgages it holds." Mortgages "are deemed seriously delinquent when the borrower has missed three or more consecutive monthly payments or the loan has been referred for foreclosure."

Money: Health Care Costs Increasingly Viewed As Employees' Responsibility

"For better and for worse, in a few years your insurance plan might" cost you more as "employers are desperate to curtail the ever-mounting cost of health care, and they are turning to high-deductible insurance plans to push more of the burden of paying back onto your shoulders." Money offers a series of tips for holding down costs, such as "You can get more out of Medicare," since "the system began offering prescription drug coverage - the catch is that you have to choose from among dozens of privately run plans." Money notes that you "can also opt out of traditional Medicare coverage and join a private Medicare Advantage plan. 'There's a lot of choice now, and that's a good thing,' says Medicare expert Sarah Thomas of AARP. 'But it may be a little overwhelming.'"

Bad News - the Supreme Court today declined a request to review a federal rule that would allow employers to reduce or eliminate health benefits for retirees when they reach 65 and become eligible for Medicare. AARP has challenged the rule in lower federal courts, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) finalized and published it late last year.

Aside from being age discrimination, the EEOC rule ignores the skyrocketing cost of health care. It shifts costs onto older retirees who often have limited incomes and have been facing higher premiums and out of pocket costs in Medicare. And don’t forget, this just puts further strain on a health care system that is struggling because of exploding costs. Pretty lame.

Concerns about the economy are not just for those 50 plus. Check out this story in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette about how college students see the economy as the top issue facing the country. Students are talking about the price of gas, the price and quality of health care. Sounds familiar? I guess it doesn’t matter where you are in life… we are all feeling the pain. And more importantly, we are all looking for action on these issues from our political leaders.

The latest from the Sunshine State from AARP Florida's Carmel Perez-Snyder:

What's big and purple and soon coming to your town in Florida? It's the Champmobile! The CM is an interactive, educational vehicle that will travel around Florida between now and the November election. It's hard to miss the purple 57-feet vehicle and truck that is named after Champ, the Divided We Fail mascot. The Champmobile made its debut at the Miami Gardens Jazz Festival March 15 and 16 at Dolphin Stadium. The "official" unveiling will be held this Friday, 10 am at the State Capitol plaza in Tallahassee.

So what does a Champmobile do? Glad you asked. The CM is equipped with satellite - great for debate watching and election night watch parties, two television screens (42" on the outside and 21" on the inside), and is its own "wi-fi" hot spot. Visitors will be able to watch DWF videos and ads, surf DWF sites, including the Champmobile's own Facebook page, or share their story online. Sitting inside the Champmobile, visitors feel as if they are on a park bench in the Capitol Mall in D.C. Visitors can even give their own "presidential" speech on the stage at the back of the Champmobile. The Divided We Fail Florida team is super excited about this new tool and ready to hit the road!

Washington Post: Workers, Firms See Productivity Gains Eclipsed By Surging Healthcare Costs

"Recent history has not been kind to working-class Americans, who were down on the economy long before the word recession was uttered." This is primarily because of "spiraling health-care costs that have absorbed increases in worker productivity. The result, adjusted for inflation, is that "median family income has dipped 2.6 percent -- or nearly $1,000 annually since 2000."

Associated Press: Recessionary Vibe Echoes 70's Rather Than Great Depression

"As economists and Wall Street types grope for historical perspective - which is another way of saying a road map out of" the foreclosure and credit "mess - Americans are nervously wondering about retirement savings, interest rates, jobs that had seemed safe." Analysts "say that more than ever, parents are calling for advice on how to deal with grown children who have moved back in with Mom and Dad after losing a job or just to save money." Rather than a revisiting of the Great Depression, a "better comparison might be the economic downturn that gripped the United States in the early 1970s, a time now widely remembered for long lines at the pump."

Washington Times: Columnist Outraged At Government Waste

"Cal Thomas writes that the federal government "now resembles an irresponsible parent, spending the children's wages and inheritance as if there were no tomorrow. Republicans lost the spending issue - and their congressional majority - because they behaved like overspending Democrats," who are promising "to increase spending if they win the White House and maintain their congressional majority."

Check out the cover of this month's AARP the Magazine, which is highlighted in the current issue of People magazine and online at people.com, for the splashy cover of Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis, who turns 50 later this year, is looking fit and sexy as she dishes on being comfortable in her own skin and embracing aging.

Washington Times: "Radical" Mortgage Aid Proposal

"The Bush administration "is considering a radical approach to alleviate the foreclosure crisis by helping homeowners refinance homes that have fallen in value while protecting the government against losses on the loans." HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson "said a proposal he sent to the White House would enable the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure 80 percent of a loan's face value in markets where home prices are falling, instead of providing the usual 100 percent guarantee."

Washington Post: Most Retirees Will Qualify For Stimulus Checks

"This year's economic stimulus law does not count income from pensions for determining eligibility for rebates, and the law's omission of the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System has created some confusion for government retirees." The Post adds, "Most federal retirees, though, should be able to qualify for a rebate under this year's stimulus package."

USA Today: RV Industry See Boom Times With Boomer Retirements

"Sales of RVs, which run the gamut from humble folding camping trailers to luxury motor homes, peaked at 400,000 in 2006," and "with the first wave of 79 million baby boomers poised for retirement, industry experts are betting that boom times are on the horizon." Mike Schneider, president of Affinity, sponsor of the RV Rally 2008 and owner of RV-related clubs and publications, said, "As baby boomers age, they clearly want more than their parents had." Schneider adds, "Their parents were do-it-yourselfers. They're the do-it-for-me generation"

An update from AARP Arkansas' Pat Jones:

Licensed payday lenders in Arkansas are receiving what some consider their walking papers from Dustin McDaniel, the state’s Attorney General, in the form of a strongly worded letter. That gives AARP Arkansas and other members of a broad-based coalition against payday lending reason to celebrate.

"These businesses have made a lot of money on the backs of Arkansas consumers, mostly the working poor. Charging consumers interest in the range of 300 to 500 percent is unlawful and unconscionable, and it is time that it stops," McDaniel reportedly said during a news conference on March 18th. "It is my hope that they comply with my demand but, if they do not, I stand ready to take them to court."

Calling payday lending a “deceptive and unconscionable trade practice” prohibited by the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTP A), McDaniel’s letter demands tells payday lenders to “cease and desist” payday lending
practices immediately, void all current and past-due obligations of their borrowers, and halt any collection activities related to these type loans.

The AG’s announcement adds fuel to the fire created by two recent, precedent-setting state Supreme Court decisions on payday lending. The court rulings state that two bonding companies are liable for paying bonds to partly cover judgments against payday lenders. The state requires a $50,000 bond for every payday lending store, and the court ruling could cause bonding companies to consider bonding payday lenders too risky. Peggy Matson, executive director of the state agency which regulates payday lenders, told the Democrat-Gazette newspaper, “If they cannot obtain a bond, then we cannot grant them a license.”

New research out of the Harvard School of Public Health today says just over half of Americans think health care in the U.S. may not be as good as other nations. And when it comes to costs, America received less than stellar grades with just 40 percent of Republicans, 19 percent of Democrats and 22 percent of independents saying the U.S. did better on affordable health care than France, Canada and Britain.

Sounds like some dissatisfaction with the status quo. Now we just need people to actually let their elected officials know about it.

Washington Post: AMA Protests Medicare Cuts

"Cuts in Medicare payments to doctors have eight out of 10 Americans concerned about access to care for seniors and baby boomers, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American Medical Association. On July 1, there will be a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Over the next decade those cuts will grow to about 40 percent, while medical practice costs increase by 20 percent, according the AMA."

Bloomberg News: Harvard Survey Shows Public Concerned About Healthcare Affordability

"The majority of Americans say U.S. private health care may not be better than national systems in Canada, France and the U.K., according to a poll by the Harvard School of Public Health. The survey, co-sponsored with Harris Interactive Inc., a Rochester, New York, research and polling company, found that 45 percent of Americans thought the U.S. medical system generally was the best. The remaining 54 percent either didn't know or thought other countries' systems were better."

USA Today: 'Smart' pillbox helps patients remember

"Doctors and pharmacists say patients and caretakers are increasingly turning to tech-based, drug-tracking tools, including a throng of interactive, consumer-friendly websites, to help keep medication regimens running smoothly and reduce errors. According to Forrester Research, the market for home health monitoring technologies is expected to reach $5 billion by 2010 — and $34 billion by 2015."

New report out today from Divided We Fail that shows Generations X and Y are thinking about their future financial security – that they are not as prepared for it as they should be and they know it.

In the survey, 86 percent of Gen Xers and Gen Yers know they should be more prepared for a "rainy day," many report that they know more about their iPod (40 percent very knowledgeable) than they do about filing their taxes (26 percent), buying a home (21 percent), investing outside of work (15 percent) and saving for retirement (15 percent). Also, three out of four Gen Xers and Gen Yers said saving for retirement is a personal financial goal, and an overwhelming majority (92 percent) feels that they can achieve their most important financial goals in the next ten years. However, many younger Americans grade themselves poorly when it comes to saving money (42 percent gave themselves a D or F) and investing their money outside the workplace (47 percent gave themselves a D or F).

At least we know what we aren’t doing – it’s the first step towards change, right?

A bird dogging update from New York's Kristin Legere and Erin Mitchell:

Presidential Candidate and New York's Junior Senator Hillary Clinton was in Albany earlier this week for Governor Paterson's swearing into office. Anybody who was anybody in New York government could be seen in the Assembly Chamber and so were a dozen AARP volunteers wearing red Divided We Fail shirts and seated across from the national media cameras. After the 55th Governor of the Empire State was sworn in, AARP volunteers stood outside the Assembly chamber when Sen. Clinton walked right by our volunteers and made sure she got a good look at the DWF brigade. And she did.

Associated Press: Allscripts-Misys Merger Could Change Landscape Of Medical Information Technology

"The merger "is expected to create a market leader in the U.S. electronic health record market, forecast at $5 billion by 2015," according to the two companies. The corporations "expect to achieve annual pretax cost savings of up to $25 million to $30 million within three years, with job cuts part of the merger."

US News and World Report: Health Blogger Objects To Certain Trends In Doctor-Rating Sites

"Avery Comarow writes, "I've been following the proliferation of doctor-rating sites." Comarow asserts that although he "can see theoretical value in them," he us "bothered...by the viral spread of these sites and by how thin and potentially misleading they are." Comarow emphasizes, "I don't think doctors should be rated as if they were restaurants or plumbers. ... I'm not a client or customer of a doctor; I'm a patient."

Washington Post: Bush Maintains Cautious Optimism on Economy

"The President also "urged Americans on Tuesday to keep in mind the 'anchors' of low unemployment and flexibility in the US economy." Bush "continued to sound a theme of measured concern amid the events that have shaken financial confidence in recent days. He acknowledged 'challenging' times but insisted that 'we're going to be just fine' in the end."

I try to keep up with the activities of our colleagues across the nation and what’s been coming up lately is a number of surveys about health care. A sample for you:

- In New Jersey, 79 percent of those in the state think everyone should have access to affordable quality health care.

- In Iowa, 93 percent think everyone should have access to affordable quality health care.

- In Hawaii, 60 percent of residents believe the state’s health and long term care services are in crisis.

Health care, a problem everywhere.

USA Today: Pending Alzheimer's Epidemic Among Aging Boomers To Strain Medicare

"Around "14 million, or roughly 18%, of the USA's 79 million baby boomers can expect to develop Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia in their lifetime, a newly released report shows. ... The report, '2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures,' states that one out of eight boomers will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia, at some point." The pending "Alzheimer's epidemic will, if left unchecked, put a huge strain on the health care system, including Medicare."

USA Today: CDC Says Falls Leading Cause Of Injury Deaths Among Seniors

"Adults 65 and older are often susceptible to falls, with often grave consequences. Falls "are much more common -- and devastating -- than many people realize, a point driven home by recent news of prominent older people falling." Falls "are the leading cause of injury deaths among people 65 and older, according" to the CDC. In 2005, "15,800 people 65 and older died from injuries related to falls, and about 1.8 million were treated in emergency rooms for such injuries, the CDC says."

Associated Press: Social Security Numbers, Direct Deposit Status Affect Stimulus Mailing

"If you want to be the first on your block to get your $600 economic stimulus payment, the IRS has a tip: Sign up to get your 2007 tax refund via direct deposit." Recipients with "Social Security numbers whose last two digits are low" will get their checks first, and those who selected direct deposit "begin receiving payments by May 2, with all such deposits expected to be made within two weeks." The IRS expects the "last of the rebate checks" to "be mailed by July 11."

Divided We Fail is out with new ads on the nation's critical need for health care and financial security. The TV spot highlights a woman injured in a car accident but forced to continue working because health care costs are too high. Check it out below.

Washington Post: New Task for a Budget Straight-Talker

"David Broder writes, "As the head of the Government Accountability Office, the auditing arm of Congress," David Walker "has been perhaps the most outspoken official in Washington warning of the fiscal train wreck that awaits this country unless it mends its ways." In a recent speech, Walker warned that "largely due to the aging of the baby boomers and rising health care costs, the United States faces decades of red ink. ... Over time, the U.S. government could be reduced to doing little more than mailing out Social Security checks to retirees and paying interest on the massive national debt."

Associated Press: AHIP Spent $6.9M Lobbying For Health Care Legislation

"America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), "the trade group that represents the health insurance industry, spent $6.9 million to lobby the federal government last year." The "group lobbied on legislation to continue" SCHIP. But President Bush "twice has vetoed efforts to add up to 10-million children to the program over the next five years." AHIP "also lobbied for legislation that would allow the marketing of generic biotech drugs."

Washington Times: Digital TV Switch May Lead To Hazardous Electronics Disposal

"Millions of analog TV sets could be discarded before the digital TV transition next year as Americans upgrade to high-definition flat panels. Chances are most of them will end up in ditches in the developing world." These discarded electronics are "toxic, containing heavy metals such as mercury and lead, as well as flame retardants that give off harmful fumes when burned."

Hi again, here is this week’s U@50 entry. Today I am posting on the second place video, submitted by Jonathan Reed. Jonathan is a Film Studies major at Georgia State University, and his video is entitled “Lost Generation”. Jonathan’s video stands out for the strength of its optimistic message and its simple but effective style. Make sure to check it out:

AP: Congress Votes On Democratic Budget Proposal

The Senate on Thursday rejected the idea of renewing many of President Bush's tax cuts as all three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns to vote. The House approved a budget blueprint that would raise taxes by $683 billion over the next five years." The AP notes, "Democrats trumpeted their plan for putting the budget back in surplus while also making investments in infrastructure, education, community development, clean energy and other programs. It also avoids $196 billion worth of Bush-proposed cuts to Medicare and the Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled."

MarketWatch: Advice On Saving For Health Care Costs

"No one ever said health-care costs in retirement would be cheap. But such expenses are starting to seem overwhelming, if not impossible to cover." Powell offers some advice gleaned from Fidelity Investments and other experts on how to "make retiree health-care costs less overwhelming." Fidelity advises workers to create "a plan that factors in current savings, income sources, lifestyle, expenses, geographic location and likely health-care needs." Analysts also recommend that retirees "earmark a portion of their 'health-care' savings toward dental expenses in retirement." But the best way to "avoid future health-care costs is to spend one's money and time wisely on health care today."

McClatchy: Government Proposal On Mortgage Overhall

"A presidential working group issued a broad set of proposals Thursday to correct weaknesses in the way homes are financed so that the sort of problems now crippling the nation's housing sector won't recur." The President's Working Group on Financial Markets "recommended changes in virtually every area of mortgage finance," calling for "tougher state and federal regulation of mortgage lending and mortgage brokers. It also supported creating a national licensing standard for anyone who originates mortgages."

The budget process is creeping along in Washington. While this may seem like a snoozer to some, it is pretty important in terms of locking Congress in to spending and/or cutting. To this end, they’ve got to do this thing right. Doing it right means rejecting the deep Medicare and Medicaid cuts proposed by the Administration and moving toward reducing America’s skyrocketing health care bill in both programs.

Bottom line, if Congress is spending our money, they should be spending it on things that matter, like improving health care and financial security for everyone.

ABC: Drug Salesman Tactics Revealed

"To sell their drugs, pharmaceutical companies hire former cheerleaders and ex-models to wine and dine doctors, exaggerate the drug's benefits and underplay their side-effects, a former sales rep told a Congressional committee this morning." Former Eli Lilly salesman Shahram Ahari said that "instructors teach sales tactics, including how to exceed spending limits for important clients, being generous with free samples to leverage sales, using friendships and personal gifts to foster a "quid pro quo" relationship"

MarketWatch: Budget Deficit Reaches Record Level

"The federal government deficit widened to a record $175.6 billion in February, in part because of the economic slowdown and in part because of the extra day in February this year that allowed the government to send out more tax refunds and more benefit checks, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday."

USA Today: Retirement Accounts Are The Best Vehicle For Retirement Savings

"First, it's generally best to open an account with a low-cost brokerage firm or a mutual fund company." Krantz also recommends Roth IRAs since when "you take the money out after you retire, you don't pay any taxes. That's NO taxes. If you qualify for a Roth, it's a great option, especially if you think tax rates will be higher in the future than they are now. Roths are also nice because unlike traditional IRAs, you are not required to take any money out in retirement." Kratz advises not to "forget to ask if you can participate in a 401(k) plan. These plans let you put pre-tax dollars into an account that can grow tax-free until you take them out."

USA Today: Announcement of Fed's Plans Lead to Stock Market Surge

"Fed officials approved the plans during a Monday evening video conference that lasted about 90 minutes," in "the latest in a series of aggressive moves including some of the steepest interest rate cuts in Fed history, discounted loans to banks and funding auctions -- aimed at stabilizing markets and the economy." But some "analysts doubted the ability of the Fed plan to spark a fundamental turnaround in multitrillion-dollar credit products."

Market Watch: Many Investors Don't Fully Understand the Benefits of Retirement Savings Programs

44% of Americans say they don't understand how an IRA works. That number goes up to half of people aged 18 to 49, the prime age range for people looking to get a jumpstart on retirement savings." Richard Hisey, "chief investment officer for AARP Financial," said, "People are very busy, they're working trying to make ends meet, so they don't have the time to really look into it." Hisey adds, "There are some nice tax advantages that average people are missing out on, where the only excuse for missing out is that they don't know ... because if you did know the advantages, you would want to take them." Hisey notes that the "saver's tax credit" is also "underutilized." Hisey continues, "And then there's the economic stimulus package, which is money people didn't otherwise expect that could be used to start an IRA, and you have a lot of ways to get a head start right now."

AP: Coalition of Hospitals to Sue Government Over Medicaid Restrictions

"Groups representing most of the nation's hospitals announced yesterday they were suing federal health officials to block the enactment of regulations that some hospitals claim threaten their survival." The groups are protesting regulations that would "restrict federal Medicaid payments so they don't exceed the cost of providing care. Hospital officials said the rules would make it harder to offset the expense of treating the uninsured." The new regulations were sought by the Bush administration to "make it harder for states to use financing schemes designed to increase federal Medicaid payments without increasing the state's share similarly."

As I have for the other primaries, I did a little poking around in the exit polling from Mississippi. Where people are in Mississippi is pretty emblematic of where things are in the other states so far. According to the CNN exit polls, half of the Democratic and over 60 percent of the Republican electorate was over 50. As for issues, the economy continues to dominate, with 55 percent of Democrats and nearly 40 percent of Republicans saying it is the issue they are most concerned about. Health care was also mentioned by almost a quarter of Democrats.

AARP’s issues, as well as 50 plus voters continue to dominate the landscape. It’s a wonder why the candidates are still sniping instead of talking about the issues that people constantly bring up as important to them.

Reuters reports that just one in four Americans are reading political blogs. The big readership, according to the poll is those who are 44 and older, with 26 percent of those over 63 saying they read political blogs. This is right on with what we know about those who are over 50. The 50+ group buys computers at twice the rate of younger consumers. Most of 50+ America has a computer and more than 42 million use the Internet. Boomers learned to use the Internet at work and are extremely savvy when it comes to technology.

See? We know you’re out there.

AP: Study Shows Children of Alzheimer's Patients At Increased Risk for the Disease

"One parent with Alzheimer's disease is tough enough, but imagine the memory-robbing illness striking both parents - and knowing chances are high you'll get it, too." A recent study "found more than 22 percent of the adult children of 111 couples with Alzheimer's had the disease themselves." The AP adds, "No one knows how many people have two afflicted parents, but experts say that as baby boomers age, there are likely to be more."

Bloomberg News: Columnist Doubts Benefits of New Loan Rules

"If you are buying or refinancing a U.S. home with an above-average price tag, you may be able to breathe easier and secure a guaranteed mortgage," but this "unlikely to revive the most troubled markets." Wasik adds, "Don't confuse this with a large-scale borrower bailout. Vast areas between the coasts won't fare as well." There are "plenty of caveats. The most important warning is that it's only good until the end of this year, so it doesn't make for a long borrowing window." Wasik concludes, "Millions bought homes they couldn't afford and speculators grabbed property, hoping to flip it for a quick profit. This time, though, lawmakers need to know the difference between a new deal and a fair one."

In the March edition of the AARP Bulletin, there’s an interesting piece about a new website, seniordecision.com that can help you and your loved ones get the skinny on adult day care providers. With recommendations, comments and firsthand accounts (with over 500 reviews available) the site is an interesting resource. Below, check out the founders Rob and Jennifer Liebreich discussing the site.

CNN Money: Pharmaceutical Companies Make Large Donations to Democratic Candidates

“Democrats have long served as the traditional enemy of Big Pharma, but in this presidential campaign, the left is taking the lion's share of drugmaker money.” According to the Center For Responsive Politics, Senator Obama “maintains a slight edge over his Democratic rival, with $181,000 in Big Pharma donations through Jan. 31, compared with Clinton's $174,000, according to the center."

AP: President Says Economy Has Slowed In The Face of Jobs News

"Bush said Friday that ‘it’s clear our economy has slowed’ and tried to reassure an anxious public that the long-term outlook is good. ‘Losing a job is painful and I know Americans are concerned about our economy. So am I,’ Bush said during a hastily arranged White House appearance on the heels of a gloomy government economic report.”

Once again I’m writing to you all to share some more videos from our U@50 YouTube competition. In this week’s post I’m bringing you the third place video entitled “ME@50”. The entry was created by Patricia Lynn O’Connor who is a psychology major at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Patricia won $1,000 for her video which was particularly interesting both for its optimistic message and great use of animation. See for yourself below:

USA Today: Home Equity Below 50% Level

"Home equity for the average American has dropped below 50% for the first time since World War II, reflecting a widespread decline in home values and relatively loose mortgage practices during much of this decade. The average homeowners' equity — the mortgage balance as a proportion of the home's market value — fell to 47.9% at the end of 2007, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday."

US News and World Report: GAO Report Seen As Inflaming Criticism Against Medicare Advantage

"A new report finds that there may not be much advantage after all in Medicare Advantage plans over traditional Medicare, at least for certain seniors. The managed-care plans offered by private insurers are touted for offering extra benefits—vision, hearing, and dental coverage, for example—despite having lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. What's not to like? Some 9 million seniors, about a fifth of all Medicare beneficiaries, have signed up. But last week the Government Accountability Office announced that seniors in some plans might actually pay more for certain services."

A report on AARP’s presence in Maryland from State Director Joe DeMattos:

AARP Maryland put together their annual Lobby Day in Annapolis and it was a huge success! Over 100 AARP volunteers flooded the State House and seven AARP folks testified before various committees on some of our key issues like keeping electricity rates affordable, ensuring quality long term care, and preventing ID theft.

The sponsor of the utilities bill we are supporting, Delegate Brian McHale, addressed the crowd and he had a blast with everyone shouting "price - reliability" his 2 goal posts for electricity. Kinda dorky, I know.

I even had the opportunity to address the entire House o