How AARP is Working for You

AARP Massachusetts is urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow people to hire their spouse as a caregiver and pay them through the state’s Medicaid program.

Bay State residents can already be reimbursed for working as a caregiver to a family member through a waiver from the federal government, but spouses are not eligible. AARP Massachusetts submitted written testimony this month in favor of legislation that would broaden the definition of a family member to include a husband or wife.

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More than 2 million Americans apply for disability every year, and nearly 10,000 will die waiting for Social Security to resolve their claims. In some parts of the country, appealed disability claims can take up to two years to be decided.

AARP wrote to congressional lawmakers Oct. 26 urging them to take action to shorten those wait times. In the letter, we urge Congress to approve additional funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA) next year to improve customer service and address staffing shortages that contribute to a backlog in disability claims.

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AARP has long advocated for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — also known as backyard bungalows or in-law cottages — as a way to create affordable housing or to help older adults live close to loved ones as they age.

So we applaud the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s announcement last week of a new policy that will allow more people to obtain mortgage financing for houses that include these dwellings.

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Television commercials touting the benefits of prescription drugs to treat conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer would also need to include information about how much those medications cost, under proposed federal legislation endorsed by AARP this week.

The bipartisan Drug-Price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act of 2023 would require drugmakers to include the monthly list price of prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer advertisements, in the same way drug companies must now disclose information about risks and side effects. The rule would apply to drugs paid for by Medicare and Medicaid that cost more than $35.


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Military consumers have lost $851 million to scammers since 2019 — nearly half of that in 2022 alone, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Criminals posing as veterans often steal money from military families by tricking them into donating to fake veterans’ charities. Scammers have convinced veterans to sign over their pensions or disability benefits or have charged them phony fees for filing claims on their behalf.

That’s why AARP endorsed bipartisan legislation this week that would stiffen the penalties against these con artists.

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During open enrollment for health coverage—whether it is Medicare, through an employer, individual coverage including Marketplace plans, retiree health, or some other plan—older adults have an opportunity to review drug formularies to help them choose a plan with prescription drug coverage that best meets their needs.

Comparing drug formularies can tell you if the plan covers your drugs, if any of your drugs are subject to new restrictions, which pharmacies work with your plan to offer lower cost sharing for your drugs, and what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket during the upcoming year.

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California workers will soon have an additional two days of paid time off to care for themselves or a sick loved one under a law signed this month by Gov. Gavin Newsom and championed by AARP.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, expands the required number of paid sick days in California from three to five and increases the amount of sick leave employees can carry over from year to year.

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Long drives to hospitals, a shortage of health care providers, as well as limited transportation and internet access often make it difficult for people in rural communities to get the health care they need.

AARP is calling on lawmakers to eliminate those barriers, which can lead to poor health outcomes for the 1 in 5 Americans living in rural areas.

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