Supreme Court decision may save consumers money on drugs

Posted on 06/18/2013 by | AARP Michigan | Comments

Health & Wellbeing | Michigan | Press AARP is hopeful a U.S. Supreme Court decision today will end pay-for-delay prescription drug agreements that cost consumers and taxpayers billions of dollars a year in Michigan and across the nation. Pay-for-delay agreements involve brand name and generic drug manufacturers entering into arrangements that pay the generic drug manufacturer to delay bringing its lower-priced alternative to market. This practice not only denies consumers access to lower-cost treatment options as soon as possible, but also prevents competition, said Joyce Rogers, AARP …

Medicaid expansion wins passage in State House

Posted on 06/14/2013 by | AARP Michigan | Comments

Health & Wellbeing | Michigan LANSING – A plan to expand Medicaid under the federal law commonly known as Obamacare advanced Thursday in the Michigan House, despite division among Republicans who hold the majority in the chamber. House Bill 4714 – if it becomes law – eventually could make more than 400,000 additional low-income adults eligible for the government health insurance program. Medicaid already covers roughly one in five Michigan residents. The bill was approved by a 76-31 vote in the House. The Republican vote …

AARP supports new Medicaid expansion bill ‘in concept’

Posted on 06/11/2013 by | AARP Michigan | Comments

Advocacy | Michigan | Press   AARP Michigan State Director Jacqueline Morrison made this statement today on the substitute for House Bill 4174, the Medicaid expansion legislation:  “We very much appreciate the significant progress that has been made on the Medicaid expansion bill. After an initial review, AARP supports the legislation in concept. We will watch closely as the bill moves through the process and look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that 470,000 Michiganians without health insurance get the quality coverage they …

Does your mayor have more ‘seniority’ than Richard Wills?

Posted on 06/6/2013 by | AARP Michigan | Comments

Home & Family | Michigan By Steve Mencher Meet the “un-politician.” When we telephoned Richard Wills, the 93-year-old mayor of Negaunee, Mich., he wasn’t all that sure that he even wanted to talk about himself. And he was especially reticent to talk about his service in World War II, where he fought in five battles, including the landing on Omaha Beach, on “D-Day Plus Two.” It was a friend’s idea, not his, to reach out around the country to find out if Wills is America’s …

Connect with state officials on Older Michiganians Day

Posted on 06/4/2013 by | AARP Michigan | Comments

Advocacy | Michigan Today is Older Michiganians Day!  Older adults from across Michigan will gather today at the State Capitol, where AARP continues to advocate for access to quality, affordable health care; financial security; and age-friendly communities in which to live.  To help ensure that our presence is felt, please connect with your state elected officials today by phone or email to make your voice heard on these important issues for older adults and people with disabilities in Michigan: HB 4328, the “omnibus” …

Gentlemen—Your Health Matters, Too! Get Insured, Get Screened, Get Healthy

Posted on 06/3/2013 by | AARP National | Comments

Health & Wellbeing | Michigan By Nicole Duritz, Vice President, Health, AARP Education & Outreach This Father’s Day, I can’t help but think about the incredible men in my life. I have a father. He’s a terrific physician. I have a wise and talented brother. I have a wonderful husband and two amazing sons. Look, I may be a bit biased, but the one objective fact all the men in my life have in common is that they lead busy – some may say stressful …