Aging News Alert

(DIABETES) HHS Report Focuses on Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:21:00 EST

Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report today (Wednesday, Nov. 11), "Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America." The report comes one day after Sebelius toured a healthcare center in Bradenton, FL where she met with patients and Floridians who care for people with diabetes.

(TRANSPORTATION) Transportation Services for Seniors Suffer Under Budget Cuts

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:19:00 EST

Dramatic funding reductions at the state and local levels continue to force reductions in transportation services for seniors as well as increased fares in many areas. For example, in Prince William County, VA, -- located just outside metropolitan Washington, DC -- funding for senior transportation recently was reduced from $250,000 to less than $100,000. That reduction led the local Area Agency on Aging to eliminate five drivers and sell six vans once used to deliver older adults to senior centers.

(PANDEMIC) Swine Flu Hitting Older Americans Harder than Originally Believed, Data Shows

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

The H1N1 flu pandemic now blanketing the nation hits adults over 50 especially hard, according to newly available data. Even so, people who most need the H1N1 vaccine are not necessarily the ones first in line. And the federal agency responsible for deciding who should get the vaccine first remains mum about its decision to leave older adults off the list.

(HOUSE) Tougher Battle Awaits Healthcare Reform Bill

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:26:00 EST

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives managed to eke out a narrow 220-215 margin of victory for the healthcare reform bill late Saturday, but the tougher battle remains ahead in the Senate. Even so, as the bill came time to vote on Saturday, most of the large groups that usually advocate for senior citizens' healthcare issues were firmly behind the measure. Indeed, insurance companies were about the only organization opponents.

(GRANTS) $200,000 Grants Go for Cities to Increase Volunteerism

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:06:00 EST

The Cities of Service Coalition, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, will award 10 cities $200,000 each over two years to hire Chief Service Officers to develop and implement a comprehensive service plan focusing on volunteerism. This is a great opportunity for nonprofit seniors centers -- most of which have a great deal of expertise in recruiting and training volunteers -- to collaborate with their respective city government officials.

(AGEISM) 50+ Hispanic Workers No Longer Invisible

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:14:00 EST

Addressing age discrimination has always been at the forefront of AARP's initiatives, but recently the organization has stepped up its game to focus on the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population -- aging Hispanics.

(HOUSE) Lawmakers Plan Big Vote, Gets Big Backing

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:27:00 EST

As Senate leadership this week hints at the possibility that its own vote may not happen until the after the new year, the House of Representatives plans the much-anticipated floor vote on its health reform bill for Saturday (Nov. 7).

(ANALYSIS) Dissecting Medicare and Related Provisions in Reform Legislation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:14:00 EST

If your organization advises seniors about the status of healthcare reform legislation now before Congress, you will want to read this analysis from the experts at the non-partisan Center for Medicare Advocacy. Congressional discussions about healthcare reform legislation are entering their final stages. The Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, was introduced in the House of Representatives on Oct. 30 and is expected to be voted on this month.

(HOUSE) Nation's Largest Advocacy Organization for Seniors Endorses House Health Reform Legislation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:43:00 EST

AARP, the nation's largest advocacy organization representing people age 50 and older, has at last endorsed healthcare reform legislation now under consideration in Congress. For months AARP has pushed for health reform but has stopped short of actually throwing its considerable weight behind any of the proposals that have been circulating on Capitol Hill -- that is until now.

(ANALYSIS) CBO Review Reveals Flaws in Republican Reform Proposal

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:21:00 EST

House Republicans' proposal for health reform -- the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) -- would not accomplish the overall goals intended for reform, suggests a just-released Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis.