AARP Bulletin - January 2012

; New Jersey Fiscal sense As Gov. Chris Christie (R) develops his state budget proposal for fiscal year 2012-13, AARP is pushing to maintain or increase property tax relief and restore funding for nursing homes. ; Lawmakers previously cut reimbursement rates for nursing homes in the 2011-12 budget. “Any further whittling would jeopardize the high-quality care people need and deserve in their elder years,” said Marilyn Askin, AARP New Jersey chief legislative advocate. ; Although AARP pushed successfully last year to reduce cuts to the state’s Homestead Credit and Senior Property Tax Freeze, no program is safe in the current economic climate. ; To urge the governor to maintain funding for property tax relief and nursing home care, call 609-292-6000. Learn more online at aarp.org/nj or facebook.com/AARPNewJersey.

; Maryland Home sweet home With a new legislative session under way, AARP is pushing to shift more long-term care dollars to services that can help Marylanders live independently in their own homes as they age. ; The state ranks near the bottom—45th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia—on funding for home- and community-based services for older people and those with physical disabilities, according to a 2011 scorecard cosponsored by AARP. Most people would prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible, and long-term care services delivered at home typically cost a third as much as institutional care. ; To learn more, go to longtermscorecard.org. To ask lawmakers to allocate funding for home-and community-based care, look for contact information at mdelect.net.

; District of Columbia Utility watchdogs AARP DC opposes Pepco’s proposal to raise electric rates by $42 million, and invites members to help fend off the rate hike by joining its utilities-watchdog team. ; Consumer advocates say the proposal would increase residential customers’ bills by about $5 a month and reduce the opportunity for public input. The company says the increase is needed to improve service and infrastructure. ; The D.C. Public Service Commission threatened to fine the utility if it fails to meet standards for reducing the frequency and length of outages. A Washington Post investigation found the average Pepco customer had 70 percent more power outages than utility customers in other big cities. ; To get involved, go to action.aarp.org/dc or call 202-434-7700.

; Pennsylvania Tune in AARP Pennsylvania is working with public broadcasting station WVIA to bring AARP programming to 22 counties in the northeastern and central parts of the state. ; The AARP-produced programs Inside E Street and My Generation air Sunday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. on WVIA. In two counties the station serves, Lackawanna and Luzerne, the percentage of population age 65- plus exceeds state and national averages. ; Inside E Street takes a nonpartisan look at financial and health issues, and the Daytime Emmy-nominated My Generation features people who are making a difference while pursuing their passions. ; To get involved in AARP activities in Pennsylvania, call 1-866-389-5654 toll-free.

; DatabankUSA Vehicular Deaths The total number of vehicular deaths in each state and D.C. in 2009.

N.D. 140

Ohio 1021

Okla. 738

Ore. 377

Pa. 1256

R.I. 83

S.C. 894

S.D. 131

Tenn. 989

Texas 3071

Utah 244

Vt. 74

Va. 757

Wash. 492

W.Va. 356

Wis. 561

Wyo. 134

Ala. 848 Alaska 64 Ariz. 807 Ark. 585 Calif. 3081 Colo. 465 Conn. 223 Del. 116 D.C. 29 Fla. 2558 Ga. 1284 Hawaii 109 Idaho 226 Ill. 911

Ind. 693 Iowa 372 Kan. 386

Ky. 791

La. 821

Maine 159

Md. 547

Mass. 334

Mich. 871

Minn. 421

Miss. 700

Mo. 878

Mont. 221

Neb. 223

Nev. 243

N.H. 110

N.J. 583

N.M. 361

N. Y. 1156

N.C. 1314

SOURCE: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFE TY ADMINIS TRATION

; Virginia Access to care Legislation backed by AARP could improve access to health care by expanding the scope of practice of nurse practitioners. ; Nurse practitioners are advanced-practice registered nurses with master’s or doctoral degrees. Although 20 states and the District of Columbia allow them to practice independently, Virginia is one of 12 states that mandate physician supervision. AARP is lobbying to remove that requirement. ; Similar legislation failed to pass in 2010, but the idea of expanding the pool of primary care providers is gaining momentum—especially in rural areas and other underserved communities. ; To learn more, go to aarp.org/va. —Reports by Donya Currie