Steve Hahn

RALEIGH -- Every day important notices are published in the pages of newspapers across North Carolina. These notices catalog government actions in cases of bid notices, changes in zoning, hearing notices, auctions, property transfers, delinquent tax notices and more. Did you know there are efforts, once again, to move important public notices out of print newspapers and onto government websites?

RALEIGH -- Dr. Catherine Harvey Sevier of Greensboro has been appointed as the new state president of AARP North Carolina. The volunteer led AARP has 1.1 million members in the state and is instrumental in improving the lives of older adults through information, advocacy, community service and local offerings and events.

Over one million North Carolinians are caring for an older parent or loved one, helping them to live independently at home – where they want to be. These caregivers have a big job but we can help with some basic support—and commonsense solutions—to make their big responsibilities a little bit easier. That’s why AARP urges state lawmakers to enact the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act and help family caregivers as their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home.

RALEIGH -- At a ceremonial presentation made today with state legislators and the United Way, AARP explained how contributions the AARP Foundation collected from members across the country last fall resulted in $200,000 being donated to assist North Carolina families affected by Hurricane Matthew.

WASHINGTON, DC — In a statement today, AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond applauded the withdrawal of the House health care legislation that would have harmed millions of older Americans and their families:

For decades, the public drinking water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina was contaminated with hazardous chemicals. Countless Veterans were unknowingly exposed to these chemicals.

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.’’