Advocacy

ASHEVILLE, NC -- Congressional leaders are looking to repeal or modify the Affordable Care Act, and House Republican leaders have presented a plan that has raised concerns on both sides of the political aisle including opposition from Congressman Mark Meadows and the conservative Freedom Caucus that he leads.

While existing health care law is by no means perfect, the most recent push – getting more people covered – certainly seems to have worked. Recent Census Bureau data shows far too many Americans, 29 million people, still lack coverage, but that’s 13 million fewer than before “Obamacare.’’

By Jim Buchanan

RALEIGH -- Contrary to this week’s reports of contentious Congressional town hall meetings over federal policy proposals, the North Carolina Congressional delegation held 13 productive meetings with teams of AARP volunteers. AARP volunteers in each district informed their elected official that certain health policy changes being proposed in Washington could have costly consequences on many of their constituents.

This has been a busy week for President Donald Trump. He’s been signing executive orders, holding high-level meetings — and tweeting up a storm. All of this makes it clear that our 45 th president is eager to deliver quickly on the promises he made during his campaign.

By Michelle Crouch

RALEIGH -- National retirement security expert David C. John, spoke to a group of political and business leaders in Raleigh this week about a voluntary and low-cost way for small businesses to offer an easy and portable way for workers to save.

Many people want a secure retirement, but not everyone has the right tools to achieve it. AARP North Carolina is asking state lawmakers to set up a retirement savings plan for people who don’t have access to a 401(k) or similar plan at work.

“If you have a pension, you’re one of the lucky ones,” said a Duke economist acknowledging that over the past few decades, most employers have shifted away from maintaining a pension fund for their workers and former employees. Increasingly, it’s up to people to save on their own, usually through a 401K from their employer or from opening an Individual Retirement Account. Yet, many workers are finding themselves near retirement, without the retirement income or savings they need to stay out of poverty and off public assistance programs.

AARP North Carolina released the third and final part of the Gubernatorial Voters Guide with Governor Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper. The two present their proposals to make communities across the state “age-friendly.”