AARP Advocacy Report

 

To view this email as a web page, click here.   Just 64 years ago, people over 65 couldn’t get health insurance. When AARP was founded in 1958, we created the first group health insurance plan for people over 65. And since then, AARP members have not only helped create the Medicare program, but helped put the Age Discrimination in Employment Act into law, add a prescription drug benefit in Medicare, and fought to add the Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA). In short — AARP members have fought long and hard for the health and financial security of people 50+ and we. will. never. stop. Right now, we have the opportunity in Congress to lower prescription drug prices, and we need to keep the pressure on our elected officials. That’s why we’re asking you to email Congress and demand action to lower Rx prices.   Today we’re reaching out to nearly 10 million AARP members — so imagine the impact of 10 million phone calls pouring into the halls of Congress. That’s why your voice is so important TODAY. Thanks in advance for speaking up.       You in the Cupid Crew? This Valentine's Day, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP is teaming up with people around the country for Cupid Crew, a volunteer-driven effort to create and safely deliver heartfelt cards to older adults who are socially isolated. Building on last year's momentum, Wish of a Lifetime hopes to send nearly a quarter million cards through the Cupid Crew campaign. Now, you can use our new electronic version to create and safely deliver a card to help make older people in your community feel more connected and valued.       Lawmakers’ choice in 2022:       Listen to Reshma Mehta tell it like it is — Leaders in Washington can act and lower outrageous drug prices, or they can let big drug companies win. Watch on Facebook and share with others to help strengthen our fight >>                   In the News Action Needed on Long-Term Care Reform Get Free At-Home COVID-⁠19 Tests at covidtests.gov Urgent Action Needed on Consumer Fraud           TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE         It’s incredible — and not in a good way: Three of these four drugs costs MORE than $1,000 a day. Which one goes for less than a grand daily? A) Soliris (treats several ailments, including myasthenia gravis) B) Gattex (treats short bowel syndrome) C) Harvoni (treats hepatitis C) D) Uptravi (treats pulmonary hypertension)         Scroll down for the answer         We are AARP: Maryanna from Maryland     When her dad Colin had a stroke, Maryanna’s family learned quickly that they “have to be my dad's biggest advocate or he will get lost in the shuffle.” She put work to the side and says she has no regrets. Learn how her career gives her unique insight into her own family’s situation.             TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ANSWER         D) Uptravi (treats pulmonary hypertension) costs less than $1,000 a day — but barely, at $986. Between 2019 and 2020, specialty drug prices increased at more than three times the rate of inflation, according to the AARP Rx Price Watch report. Read on for more on the sky-high prices of prescription drugs >>