Advocacy

By Mary Bethel -- Associate State Director

“AARP is deeply concerned about the government’s rate settlement with Progress Energy, which in the midst of public hearings, was hastily negotiated during closed-door meetings between company lawyers and the Utilities Commission as they secretly calculated how much ratepayers will shoulder. Isn’t a role of the Commission to listen to the people who will be paying the bills?

Seven years ago, North Carolina threw loansharks out of our state so they could not prey on struggling families, the cash-strapped unemployed or indigent elderly. But now the loansharks are back, tempting the General Assembly to let them back in. We need you to speak up and say, “Keep ‘em out!”

By Bridgette A. Lacy for AARP

RALEIGH – The American Academy of Actuaries estimates healthcare insurance premiums will rise by two percent if states do not expand Medicaid as the Affordable Care Act provided. According to a 2011 survey of employers by Kaiser Family Foundation, healthcare premiums cost on average $15,046 a year, including $10,944 paid by employers and $4,129 paid by employees. A two percent rise would mean $301 hike for employers and employees to pay together.

RALEIGH -- In a new AARP survey of 600 registered North Carolina voters, only 35 percent felt that the state should turn down federal funds that will provide Medicaid coverage to uninsured residents.

RALEIGH -- AARP North Carolina State Director Doug Dickerson joined other concerned organizations to express concerns over the impact that proposed cuts to unemployment benefits will have on North Carolinians already suffering from the state's high jobless rate.

AARP and more than 70 organizations from around North Carolina released a letter to Governor McCrory, urging him to implement the Medicaid Expansion for low-income individuals under the Affordable Care Act.

AARP's public affairs radio program " On the Air" is now on more stations. Listen each week when host Debra Tyler Horton talks to guests about state and national politics, volunteer opportunities, community events, financial security and much more.

Americans have paid into Medicare and Social Security and they've earned a voice in the debate about the future of these programs.