Advocacy

Media Advisory for 8:30 am, Tuesday, Feb. 21

At AARP, we believe Medicare is a deal with the American people that must not be broken.

AARP Iowa's top priority for the Iowa State General Assembly is passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act, a commonsense policy that increases information, education and support for Iowa’s more than 317,000 family caregivers. The legislation recognizes the important role of Iowa’s family caregivers and the estimated 65% of Iowa caregivers’ work that involves medical care.

AARP and other advocates have formed Elevate Aging, a collaborative that addresses aging issues in Iowa. Among its priorities for the 2017 legislative session is passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act.

AARP Iowa’s top legislative priority in 2017 will be passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act. The legislation would provide training and support for family caregivers when a loved one comes home from a hospital stay.

AARP Iowa, the state Office of Attorney General and other agencies are providing training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges to help them address elder abuse in their communities. Funded by a three-year $400,000 federal grant, the project also provides services to victims—including housing and legal assistance—and strengthens intervention at the local level.

More than 500 Iowans from across the state participated in our recent series of voter engagement Social Security solutions forums to discuss the importance of Social Security in the 2016 election and to the economic security of Iowans for generations to come.

Politicians are not likely to make plans to update Social Security unless voters ask them to do so. That’s why AARP opened an office in Des Moines—to serve as a hub for efforts to hold presidential and congressional candidates accountable for explaining how they would keep Social Security financially sound for current and future generations.

Thanks to the more than 4,500 Iowa State Fair goers who stopped by the AARP Take A Stand booth to show their support for the future of Social Security during our celebration of Social Security's 81st anniversary.

Iowans are invited to attend an upcoming Social Security solutions forum in their community this fall to discuss the importance of Social Security to the economic security of Iowans for generations to come.