Steve Hahn

RALEIGH -- This week, six bi-partisan NC Members of Congress publicly opposed the American Health Care Act, a House proposal, that if passed, could result in older adults paying up to $8,400 a year in added insurance premiums.

While it’s still a work in progress, the broad outline of proposed health care reforms is coming into focus in Congress. The measure as currently drafted holds huge ramifications for all Americans, including here in North Carolina. Many of those ramifications come from proposals to change Medicaid from its current form into a block grant program.

ASHEVILLE, NC -- Congressional leaders are looking to repeal or modify the Affordable Care Act, and House Republican leaders have presented a plan that has raised concerns on both sides of the political aisle including opposition from Congressman Mark Meadows and the conservative Freedom Caucus that he leads.

While existing health care law is by no means perfect, the most recent push – getting more people covered – certainly seems to have worked. Recent Census Bureau data shows far too many Americans, 29 million people, still lack coverage, but that’s 13 million fewer than before “Obamacare.’’

By Jim Buchanan

Don't miss some great chances to learn, meet others and have fun at these AARP events in March. Register for these free events today.

RALEIGH -- Contrary to this week’s reports of contentious Congressional town hall meetings over federal policy proposals, the North Carolina Congressional delegation held 13 productive meetings with teams of AARP volunteers. AARP volunteers in each district informed their elected official that certain health policy changes being proposed in Washington could have costly consequences on many of their constituents.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina (UNC) Center for Health Innovation and AARP are collaborating to launch a second Digital Health Innovation Sprint TM in the Triangle of North Carolina to develop digital solutions to the problem of medication adherence in patients age 50 and over. The “Sprint” is a novel experience-based series of high-energy events designed to guide entrepreneurial-focused teams quickly through the process of maturing an idea and creating a prototype. Leveraging design thinking methodologies, the Sprint provides structure and support for teams to better define a healthcare problem and generate, develop and refine digital solutions over a two-month period.

RALEIGH – Beginning today through April 18, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 49th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, offering free tax preparation help to anyone, especially those who are 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service

This has been a busy week for President Donald Trump. He’s been signing executive orders, holding high-level meetings — and tweeting up a storm. All of this makes it clear that our 45 th president is eager to deliver quickly on the promises he made during his campaign.