Advocacy

As state lawmakers near a key deadline, the 2018 legislative session’s first funnel of February 16, AARP leaders and activists descended on the State Capitol this morning for the Association’s annual lobby day, urging lawmakers to pass the 2018 Iowa CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act. The bill (HF 2289/SSB 3123), with no cost to the state or taxpayers, would provide vital support for Iowa’s more than 317,000 family caregivers who help their older parents, spouses and other loved ones live safely and independently at home.

When Irene Olson was unexpectedly discharged from the hospital on a wintery Saturday afternoon after a short stay following aortic aneurism surgery, she phoned her daughter Sue, 175 miles away in Ames, telling her to come and pick her up. With minimal information from hospital staff regarding the discharge, Sue drove five hours through blizzard conditions. Arriving at the hospital, Sue’s mother was waiting in a wheelchair to be taken home. No instruction was provided to Sue on how to administer her mother’s medications or how to tend to a wound that remained from the recent surgery.

The Iowa General Assembly convenes Jan. 8, and AARP Iowa is continuing to press for legislation that can ease the transition from hospital to home for patients and family caregivers.

AARP Iowa is working with employers to help them understand and support employees who also serve as unpaid family caregivers. The goal is to identify resources that can help not only caregivers but employers, as well.

The Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) would make health care unaffordable and inaccessible for millions of Americans.

June 27, 2017 — DES MOINES, IA

Large Majorities of Older Voters Across Party Lines Oppose the Age Tax,

AARP Iowa is hosting briefings this month to inform members about health care reform and possible changes to Medicare.

Urges Congress to pass much-needed federal tax credit for nation’s family caregivers

Between June 1-29, AARP is hosting Medicare Health Care and You! meetings to learn about some of the challenges facing health care reform and get information about different proposals being discussed in Washington. The sessions are also an opportunity for Iowans to voice their concerns about the future of health care and Medicare, and learn how to get involved in advocacy efforts to strengthen health care coverage for older Iowans. The events are all free and open to AARP members and the general public and include lunch and refreshments.