Advocacy

When retired Air Force officer Sam Wood of Durham learned that the pharmaceutical industry was pushing back on a federal attempt to close the Medicare Part D donut hole, he took action. Like thousands of other AARP advocates, he called his members of Congress urging them to close the coverage gap. Wood manages his heart condition with several prescriptions and is worried about the future affordability of the medications his doctors prescribe. Thankfully, with your urging, he can rest a bit easier due to a spending bill Congress passed – and President Trump signed –that includes a number of positive provisions for older Americans and AARP’s priorities.

RALEIGH -- AARP North Carolina delivered about 1,400 petitions today to the North Carolina Utilities Commission from residential ratepayers concerned about the steep rate hike request by Duke Carolinas.

Bowing to pressure from thousands of older adults struggling to pay a range of bills from medicines, water, and groceries, Duke Progress Energy was forced to accept a much lo wer rate increase than it requested from the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Late Friday, the Commission rejected Duke’s $20 average increase, cutting it back by $11 per residential customer. With this decision, Duke Progress customers will pay about $6 per month more for their electricity, and about $3 per month more for a monthly service charge.

Thanks to the great work of AARP advocates, the Bipartisan Budget Act signed last week by President Trump, includes several important wins when it comes to controlling our health care costs. Without your help to repeal caps to physical, occupational and speech therapies, seniors would have been forced to pay out of pocket for these services.

CHARLOTTE – In January, AARP members from the Piedmont and Western portions of North Carolina spoke out forcefully against Duke Carolinas' rate hike proposal that will add about $20 a month to your electric bill.

You spoke, they listened...

AARP North Carolina joined Attorney General Josh Stein and State Representative Jason Saine (R) Lincolnton, when they introduced a proposal to strengthen North Carolina’s laws to prevent data breaches and to protect affected victims. The Attorney General and other state law enforcement officials have been part of AARP's efforts to protect North Carolinians from fraud and scams that target older adults.

By Michelle Crouch

State legislators will be back in session in May, and AARP North Carolina is gearing up to advocate for the state’s 1.3 million unpaid family caregivers, who save the state money on long-term care costs.

New Research Finds Military Veterans Victimized by Scams Twice as Often as Nonveterans