How AARP is Working for You

AARP sent a letter to all members of Congress this week urging them to reject efforts by federal lawmakers to overturn new minimum nursing home staffing standards. The rollback effort comes in response to complaints from the nursing home industry about staff shortages.

“If a nursing home does not have enough staff to care for its residents, it should not be admitting new residents,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer, wrote in the May 7 letter. “AARP does not believe this to be a burdensome regulation; it is common sense.”

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A new Maine law backed by AARP will prevent utility companies from shutting off power during times of extreme heat and will eliminate reconnection fees and late charges for those with lower incomes.

While Maine has strong consumer protections against disconnections during the freezing winter months, there are currently no regulations to prevent utilities from cutting power because of missed payments during the summer.

The new law directs the Maine Public Utilities Commission to create rules that would ban power shutoffs during any “extreme weather or temperature conditions, including extreme heat or humidity.”

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AARP wrote to Senate lawmakers last week in support of federal legislation that would expand Medicare coverage for people who need short-term rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility after hospitalization.

Medicare rules require at least a three-day inpatient hospital stay for skilled nursing facility services to be covered. The bipartisan Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, which AARP endorsed on April 25, would count observation days as inpatient stays, allowing more older adults to qualify for Medicare coverage of their rehab.

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An AARP-backed law signed by Gov. Wes Moore April 25 will create a new state program to bring financial relief to Marylanders who care for a loved one.

The law, which takes effect July 1, creates the Caregiver Expense Grant Program under the state Department of Aging. It allows eligible caregivers to apply for grants of up to $2,500 a year to cover expenses related to caring for someone 60 or older.

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Nebraska will soon offer eligible family caregivers a tax break for expenses incurred while caring for a loved one, thanks to new legislation championed by AARP.

The law, signed by Gov. Jim Pillen on April 23, would offer Nebraska family caregivers who meet income requirements a nonrefundable tax credit equal to half of their eligible caregiving expenses, starting in the 2025 tax year.

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AARP applauds the Federal Communications Commission for its decision Thursday to reinstate net neutrality, a move that restores federal oversight of the broadband industry and helps protect consumers from slow or unreliable internet access.

“Net neutrality means anyone in America can access the content of their choosing without experiencing slowdowns in internet service and receive reliable service in times of emergency or natural disaster,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a statement.

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AARP applauds Arizona lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs for enacting legislation to strengthen state oversight of assisted living and other long-term care facilities and set tougher penalties for those that fail to prevent abuse.

“This is a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the safety, oversight and quality of long-term care across Arizona,” AARP Arizona State Director Dana Marie Kennedy said during the governor’s bill signing ceremony on April 8.

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All financial professionals who give advice on retirement saving plans will be required to act solely in their clients’ best interest under a new federal rule finalized by the Department of Labor today.

AARP fought hard for the rule, which closes loopholes that allow some financial professionals to steer retirement savers toward products that offer higher commissions or other perks and often come with high fees, rather than toward investments that best meet the clients’ needs.

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