Advocacy

AARP is working to ensure that older adults who have lost their jobs and hard-working Pennsylvanians who are struggling to make ends meet can find the affordable health care they need. Accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid in PA will give these families the security of knowing they can get the health care they need and at the same time boost our economy, create jobs, and help keep the doors open at the hospitals that serve our residents. By expanding Medicaid, Pennsylvania can help those who have lost their health insurance receive coverage if their incomes are less than $15,000 (133 percent of the federal poverty level). For the first three years beginning in 2014, the federal government will pay the entire cost of the state's Medicaid expansion, with the government's match rate gradually dropping beginning in 2017, decreasing to 90 percent in 2020 and thereafter.

Faith Leaders

Pennsylvania should follow the lead of more than 40 states which have addressed pension funding problems by modifying defined benefit programs and not engaging in wholesale changes to retirement programs for state workers and teachers, according to a panel of state and national pension security advocates briefing lawmakers and reporters at the state capitol today.

Pennsylvania Voters 50+ Oppose the Chained CPI, Believe Social Security Should Not Be Cut to Reduce the Deficit

Governor’s Meeting with Secretary Sebelius Represents Positive Step Toward State Medicaid Expansion

In recognition of the national celebration of April as "Financial Literacy Month," the members of the Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commission are urging Pennsylvania senior citizens to exercise caution and seek information and advice from trusted sources when approached with unfamiliar, complicated investment opportunities.

Note: The following article by AARP State President Jim Palmquist is running in newspapers across PA.

AARP Pennsylvania today applauded approval by a state House committee of legislation that ensures an estimated 50,000 older residents won’t lose prescription drug coverage by excluding Medicare Part B premiums and Social Security cost of living increases from PACE and PACENET income eligibility guidelines.

AARP Pennsylvania’s first Executive Council meeting of 2013 recently took place in Harrisburg, PA under the leadership of State President Jim Palmquist. The predominately volunteer council will work with the state office to guide strategic priorities and objectives consistent with AARP’s national strategic framework and within AARP’s policies set by the AARP National Board of Directors.

This week AARP Pennsylvania volunteers and staff are meeting with nine members of the state’s Congressional delegation in their district offices, urging them to oppose $5.84 billion in cuts to our state’s Social Security COLA and veterans’ benefits that would occur if a measure known as Chained CPI is adopted. The office visits by AARP Pennsylvania volunteers follow weeks of letters, advertisements, petitions, a new Chained CPI Calculator, e-mails and phone calls asking Congress not to cut Social Security benefits and to have a separate conversation about Social Security’s future.