Advocacy

Notalys LLC released its report, Expanding Utah's Health Insurance Options today at a press briefing at the Utah State Capitol, outlining the differences between two plans that were under consideration by the Utah legislature during the last session. Governor Herbert's Healthy Utah plan was passed by the Utah Senate, and Utah Cares was passed by the Utah House of Representatives. Because no agreement was reached on how to cover the more than 50,000 low-income Utahns who currently fall into a health insurance coverage gap--making too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to qualify for health insurance subsidies--a committee of House and Senate leaders, the Governor Herbert, and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox set July 31 as the deadline for coming up with a plan to address this population.

The following press release was issued by AARP on Tuesday, June 16.

Do you hope to retire one day? If you’re like most Utahns, the answer is a resounding yes. AARP surveyed 1000 Utahns age 25-64, and 89 percent hope to retire from working completely. (The survey, Making Retirement a Reality: Helping Utahns Age 25-64 Save and Take Control of Their Future was conducted in December of 2014.) Yet one in six of has less than $5000 in savings. Given that the average lifespan is now nearly 80, it’s sobering to wonder how these people will have financial security in their retirement years.

Millions of Americans depend on 401(k)-style plans for their retirement savings, which often require complex financial decisions. This often means relying on investment professionals for guidance and advice. Most professionals do what's right for their clients, but loopholes in the law allow Wall Street to take advantage of investors by recommending investments that may not be in their best interest. What does this mean? It's perfectly legal to recommend investments that have high fees and low returns but mean higher profits for themselves.

This March, US Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx introduced the “Mayors Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” initiative. This 18-month campaign challenges mayors and elected officials across the nation to take significant action to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities over the next year. In fact, the campaign encourages cities to recruit local grassroots and community organizations to assist in educating and addressing barriers to making streets safe and convenient for all road users. The DOT held a kick-off Summit last month.

from the AARP Media Relations Office

Many people don’t realize their retirement accounts are in danger. While most accounts are in good hands, some brokers and advisors take advantage of clients, leading them to investments that just aren’t in their best interest…and their clients don’t have a clue.--President Obama.

By Danny Harris, Advocacy Director, AARP Utah

In a statement released today, AARP Utah State Director Alan Ormsby said, “AARP Utah is disappointed that the Utah legislature did not advance Healthy Utah into law this session. This means that thousands of people who fall into the coverage gap will continue to suffer because of their lack of access to affordable health care. Some will die while waiting for treatment. It is truly disheartening when political posturing gets the upper hand over the outpouring of support for Healthy Utah from the public and organizations around the state. We hope that this vital piece of legislation will be considered and passed quickly in a special session of the legislature and intend to work with the committee to help ensure that this happens.”

As I have read the headlines about Healthy Utah over the last week, I have been reminded of Mark Twain’s famous quote “reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” While the House did vote down the Senate’s version of Healthy Utah, they sent a much weaker expansion bill (HB 446) to the Senate. Even the sponsor of that bill described the health coverage it provides to driving a Yugo. This makes no sense, as Utahns have already paid for the Cadillac through federal taxes, but are being asked to take the Yugo instead. We are now working with the Senate to use that bill to find a compromise where Healthy Utah is the ultimate outcome.