Bruce Carlson

AARP's Chief Executive Officer A. Barry Rand has written a letter to our national Senators encouraging them to protect seniors on vital issues like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Some in W ashington are pushing a budget proposal that would cut Social Security benefits by $112 billion over the next 10 years. It’s called “chained CPI” - a proposal that would cut the yearly cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security, leaving seniors struggling to keep up with the rising cost of utilities, health care and prescription drugs. As seniors get older, it would only get worse because the cuts would start now and get bigger every year. Washington should focus on finding responsible ways to address our nation’s budget challenges, not cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit. Americans have earned their benefits and they deserve a separate conversation about how to protect Social Security for today’s seniors and strengthen the program for future generations.

Medicaid Expansion is hot topic in Olympia these days. AARP is supporting Medicaid Expansion for people in our state.

Marge Thorne of Bremerton has been selected by AARP Washington to receive the 2012 AARP State Andrus Award for Community Service, our Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service. This award symbolizes an individual’s power and ability to make a difference in others’ lives.

Fl as h Volunteer, a Seattle company that boosts volunteerism through an innovative website, has won an AARP Foundation prize. The project emerged from a competition at the University of Washington as part of the Foundation’s new contest.