How AARP is Working for You

AARP is urging federal officials to set stricter limits on short-term health insurance plans — also known as “skinny” or “junk” plans — which offer limited medical coverage and lack consumer protections that are required of other health plans.

We submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this month in support of a federal proposal that would restore previous three-month limits on such plans, with an option to extend coverage for an additional month. AARP also supports a proposal that would require insurers to notify consumers about the limitations of short-term plans.

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After military service, transitioning into a civilian career can be difficult. And it’s not just veterans who struggle with unemployment and underemployment. Frequent moves can also make job searching a challenge for spouses.

In 2021, 21 percent of active-duty military spouses in the labor force were unemployed, a rate nearly four times higher than the general unemployment rate.

AARP is inviting veterans and military spouses to attend a free virtual career coaching event that can help.

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There's been a sharp increase in consumer complaints about the marketing and sales of health insurance plans under Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare's private-plan option.

New federal rules aim to curb problematic tactics and are an important step forward in protecting consumers from marketing and sales abuses.

Yet ensuring that people receive useful, accurate information to help them choose the Medicare option that best meets their needs will require significant ongoing attention and further policy action.

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The nation’s top health official urges Americans to protect themselves from the latest COVID-19 variants by getting the updated vaccine that pharmacies and health care providers are beginning to administer this week.

“We want to go into the holidays being able to hug and kiss our relatives,” Xavier Becerra, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, told listeners in an AARP tele-town hall Sept. 14.

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If your Social Security number has been stolen or misused, the last thing you need is government red tape getting in the way as you resolve the issue. AARP backs federal legislation that aims to make dealing with identity theft easier.

We wrote to U.S. Senate lawmakers Sept. 7 in support of the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. The bipartisan legislation would require a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration to deal with cases of identity theft.

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Next year’s Illinois state budget includes $14 million that will go toward programs to help older adults and their caregivers, in part due to AARP’s advocacy.

The fiscal year 2024 budget, approved by lawmakers and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, includes millions of dollars for delivering meals to seniors, ensuring nursing home quality, supporting family caregivers and more.

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Texas residents may see some relief from high prescription drug prices in the future thanks to a new AARP-backed law that will allow the state to bring in lower-cost medicine from Canada.

The law, which took effect Sept. 1, allows the state Health and Human Services Commission to set up a prescription drug importation program with Canada, where prescriptions on average cost 30 percent less than in the U.S.

The imported drugs would still be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which must approve any importation plan before it is implemented.

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It may be September, but tax season will be here before you know it. And AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking for new volunteers to help people around the country file their taxes.

Tax-Aide volunteers help prepare returns free of charge, either in person or through virtual appointments. The program also needs people to work as greeters, translators, tech support and more.

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