AARP North Carolina

RALEIGH –Medicare contributes $19.5 million to North Carolina’s economy, equivalent to 21% of state and local government spending in the state, according to a new report from AARP. Medicare also covers 1,788,687 beneficiaries in the state. Older Americans have said Medicare is one of their top issues in the 2018 mid-term elections, and AARP North Carolina is working to encourage voter participation this election season.

In support of that work, AARP is excited to be able to provide funding to organizations through the AARP Community Challenge to help them jumpstart progress on ongoing work. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 129 organizations, with at least one in every state, Washington D.C, and Puerto Rico, including right here in North Carolina. The Community Challenge grants provide communities with the chance to fund innovative projects that can inspire change in areas such as transportation, open spaces, housing, and other innovative projects to improve the community and make North Carolina’s counties, cities, towns and rural areas better places to live for all residents.

With vacation season in full swing, you may be looking to book vacation rentals for your summer trips. Be careful as you make these reservations – scammers are ready with fake vacation rental ads to steal your money and leave you stranded on vacation. Scammers may place real homes on vacation rental sites without the consent of the homeowner, and change the contact and payment information to their own. They may also make up nonexistent properties and advertise them with great prices or amenities.

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AARP North Carolina is encouraging caregivers to share their stories to help build momentum for advocacy. Through legislation backed by AARP, the state recently joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, which can help ease a shortage of health care providers. AARP also supported a power of attorney law that makes it easier for families to take care of loved ones across state lines.

The right to vote, along with full and fair representation, is the most basic of all political rights. AARP North Carolina is against the effort for a state constitutional amendment (HB1092) that would, in practical terms, reduce voter participation by inhibiting basic American voting rights. We urge legislators and voters to oppose any constitutional amendment for new identification requirements.

RALEIGH – To recognize their integral work to support family caregivers in North Carolina last year, AARP named Governor Roy Cooper, State Senators Warren Daniel and Paul Newton and State Representatives John Szoka, Gale Adcock, Beverly G. Boswell, Donna McDowell White as “Capitol Caregivers."

NEW -- PLEASE WATCH: NC fraud fighters give you tips on spotting, preventing and reporting home contractor scams.

RALEIGH -- Lowering your monthly health care insurance premium sounds pretty good. But what if your new coverage doesn't cover preexisting conditions, caps your coverage or charges you more because your older or work in an occupation that requires physical activity? What if the company or association you bought your policy from is no longer solvent and can't pay your claim?

CHARLOTTE -- Former Director of Legislative Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Lara J. Cole has joined AARP North Carolina as Associate State Director in the Charlotte Region.