Alissa Brammer

A new study from the AARP Public Policy Institute calculates that each dollar paid to Social Security beneficiaries in Iowa generates nearly two dollars ($1.74) in spending by individuals and businesses, adding about $13.5 billion in total economic output to the Iowa economy – contributing to the $1.4 trillion total economic output Social Security added to the national economy – in 2012. The report finds the $8.3 billion paid in Social Security benefits to Iowans in 2012 helped create or maintain more than 95,000 jobs.

On Sept. 16th, AARP hosted a statewide teletown hall with Iowa's State Insurance Commission Nick Gerhart to answer questions about how the new health care law affects older Iowans, especially those individuals ages 50-64. More than 8,000 Iowans joined the hour-long conversation that questions ranging from changes in pricing for individual coverage to the tax credit assistance that will be available through the new low to qualifying low- and middle-income consumers.

As federal and state agencies prepare for the Health Insurance Marketplace roll out under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has issued a consumer advisory warning Iowans to be aware of scammers who will try to take advantage of people who are not familiar with the nation’s new health care law.

The Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour with AARP arrives in the Greater Des Moines area Aug. 14 and will be traveling through the greater metro area until Aug. 21 providing free health screenings to all. The free screenings include total cholesterol and gloucose levels, blood pressure, and comprehensive weight assessment to help provide individuals and families with critical foundation information for early disease detection and prevention.

The legendary Iowa State Fair - version 2013 - is underway and already hundreds of fairgoers have stopped by our booth to say "Hi," get the latest AARP information, fill out a "thought bubble" on their ideas about Social Security and Medicare, and take home our free gift. Enjoy a taste of this year's action with a fun video starring AARP Iowa Executive Council Member Mary Ann Young and her husband Bill as they work their way through our 2013 Iowa State Fair Checklist. We hope you'll Come on Down to see us at our booth in the Varied Industries Building. We'll be sharing your opinions with our members of Congress after the fair. If you can't make the fair, make your voice heard at You've Earned a Say now. http://youtu.be/pgoK7q_GCwo[/youtube]

Organizations Encourage Elected Officials to Move to Increase Access, Savings and Education

AARP is inviting Black Hawk County area and Des Moines area Iowans interested having a say about the future of Social Security and Medicare to join us next week for listening posts at the Supervisor's Club in Waterloo on July 30 and at the Sheraton West Des Moines on Wednesday, July 31. The events are part of AARP Iowa's second-year of outreach for AARP’s national “You’ve Earned a Say” Listening tour.

Experts to simplify the new law and answer questions at two sessions

Iowa state lawmakers this year approved a $1 million matching appropriation for the state’s food banks, which now must raise $1 million in private funds to access the full amount.

With the July 1 enactment of the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan/Senate File 446 expanding access to affordable health care for all Iowans, more than 150,000 Iowans without health care coverage will have the security of knowing they can get the health care they need.