AARP Maryland Volunteers Bring Concerns to Annapolis

AARP Maryland members converged on Annapolis Friday, February 24, for the organization’s annual Lobby Day to connect with lawmakers and raise awareness of issues of importance to Marylanders aged 50 and over, including prescription drug affordability, support for family caregivers, long-term care oversight, broadband expansion and tax relief for military retirees.

“Lobby Day offers our members an opportunity to engage one on one with their elected representatives, to make sure they know where we stand on issues of concern,” said Jim Campbell, AARP Maryland volunteer state president. “It's important for our volunteers to see their elected representatives at work and for lawmakers to hear directly from their constituents.

Throughout the 90-day legislative session, AARP advocacy volunteers track legislation, draft and deliver testimony. To date during the 2023 session, volunteer advocates are following 75 bills, and have testified at 25 hearings. Volunteers are also regular fixtures at weekly county delegation meetings, virtually and in-person. They hold virtual meetings every Friday during the session to share updates, offer insight and prepare strategy for the upcoming week.

AARP advocacy volunteers are likewise vocal about federal issues, such as protecting Social Security and Medicare and bringing down the cost of prescription drugs.

“We can’t possibly achieve all that we do without the passion and drive of our volunteer advocacy corps,” said Tammy Bresnahan, AARP Maryland’s advocacy director. “They are deeply knowledgeable about the legislative process and bring with them decades of professional experience in fields such as behavioral health, medicine, law, public policy and education. They are also able to speak personally as retirees, family caregivers, parents and grandparents, about how legislation will affect them and their families on a daily basis.”

About AARP Maryland

With nearly 850,000 members in Maryland and 38 million across the country, AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.​