Your AARP: Massachusetts

November 2009

Eyes on the race — A special election on Jan. 19 for the U.S. Senate seat long held by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D, presents an opportunity for AARP to spotlight issues important to state residents age 50 and older. Besides asking candidates to clarify their positions on issues such as health care reform, AARP Massachusetts will produce voters' guides, organize candidate debates and conduct get-out-the-vote activities.

"This is one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate elections in decades," says Deborah Banda, AARP state director. "We need to ensure issues important to AARP members and their families remain front and center."

For voter resources, go to www.aarp.org/ma.

October 2009

Family matters — Massachusetts is the first state to require every hospital to establish a Patient and Family Advisory Council, bringing patients' perspectives to bear on improving quality of care. The law requires that hospitals submit plans for these councils by the start of this month and that the councils become active by October 2010.

As part of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors, AARP supported the legislation. Research shows that when families and local residents are involved in advising health care professionals, patients receive more attentive care, suffer fewer medical errors and have reduced health care costs.

For updates, visit www.aarp.org/ma.

September 2009

Budget cuts — The 2010 state budget, which took effect in July, slashed an additional $10 million from Prescription Advantage, the state pharmacy assistance program that works in tandem with Medicare Part D.

Lawmakers cut more than $11 million from Prescription Advantage last year, which resulted in 70 percent of enrollees losing assistance with copayments until they reached the "doughnut hole"—a gap in Medicare coverage. AARP aims to ensure that the new funding cuts do not solely affect those hurt by previous reductions. "Many people count on Prescription Advantage, and we will continue to work hard to make sure they get the help they need," says Deborah Banda, AARP state director.

AARP Massachusetts is also concerned about funding cuts to home- and community-based services. For details, visit www.aarp.org/ma.

July-August 2009

Protecting Rx coverage — AARP Massachusetts is fighting three bills introduced to eliminate prescription drug coverage from the minimum insurance standards established by the state's 2006 health reform law. The legislature's Joint Committee on Health Care Financing will decide this summer whether to forward the bills to lawmakers for a vote.

AARP advocates testified against the bills at a May hearing, arguing that it would lead to residents taking less medication than prescribed in order to save money, a practice that could ultimately result in higher health care costs for the state.

To urge the joint committee chairs to keep prescription drug benefits, call Sen. Richard Moore, D, at 617-722-1420 and Rep. Harriett Stanley, D, at 617-722-2430.

June 2009

Restore services — As the House and Senate continue to hammer out the 2010 state budget, AARP Massachusetts is pressing legislators to restore funding for Prescription Advantage, the state's pharmacy assistance program, and for services that help people remain in their homes as they age. Lawmakers expect to finalize the budget this month and send it to Gov. Deval Patrick, D, before it takes effect July 1.

Emergency cuts in 2008 already reduced funding for these programs, putting hundreds of people on waiting lists for in-home care and eliminating help with Medicare Part D copayments for Prescription Advantage enrollees until they've paid $2,700 for drugs.

To urge Senate President Therese Murray, D, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D, to support full funding for Prescription Advantage and aging-at-home services, call 1-800-575-7971.