Advocacy

This week, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law several bills that are important for people 50+. These include legislation to improve long term care quality and financing, ensure pedestrian safety, expand access to prescription drugs and protect vulnerable adults. Special thanks to the legislators who sponsored these bills and to the AARP members who testified before committees, met with legislators, made phone calls and wrote e-mails in support of these bills. All of the hard work paid off. Here’s what passed:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Newly-elected Washington State Governor Jay Inslee sat down in Olympia with AARP Washington volunteers and staff to participate in a state-wide Teletown Hall telephone conference yesterday. Approximately 14,500 AARP members listened in on the call and several had the opportunity to ask a question of our new governor. The discussion was informal and wide-ranging, covering topics from healthcare to transportation. If you missed it, you can listen to a recording of the call by clicking here.

AARP's Chief Executive Officer A. Barry Rand has written a letter to our national Senators encouraging them to protect seniors on vital issues like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.

Some in W ashington are pushing a budget proposal that would cut Social Security benefits by $112 billion over the next 10 years. It’s called “chained CPI” - a proposal that would cut the yearly cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security, leaving seniors struggling to keep up with the rising cost of utilities, health care and prescription drugs. As seniors get older, it would only get worse because the cuts would start now and get bigger every year. Washington should focus on finding responsible ways to address our nation’s budget challenges, not cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit. Americans have earned their benefits and they deserve a separate conversation about how to protect Social Security for today’s seniors and strengthen the program for future generations.

Medicaid Expansion is hot topic in Olympia these days. AARP is supporting Medicaid Expansion for people in our state.

Contacts:

For Immediate Release

Power companies, consumer groups at odds over rate costs in California

This January, our newly appointed Governor and a cast of new Senators and Representatives will descend on Olympia into a sea of policy and budget challenges. Before they get too distracted, let’s make sure they take note and plan for the silver tsunami on the horizon.