Advocacy

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.

AARP Iowa leaders announced the association's 2017 top state legislative priority and Presidents Day Congressional Recess activities to a gathering of more than 90 AARP volunteers from across Iowa at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

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.