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by Rachel Simon

Medicare with Ridge Multop of AARP

(Oct. 3, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Ridge Multop, community ambassador with AARP, to discuss information regarding the Medicare program. October through December is open enrollment season, and it is important for seniors to understand the ins and outs of the system before committing to a plan.

President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law 53 years ago. At the time the country was facing a healthcare crisis. Many seniors were living longer than ever before, and were unable to secure medical coverage from private insurers, due to their age or their preexisting conditions. The Medicare system was established as a safety net in order to provide hospital and outpatient care to all Americans over the age of 65. This original program is known as Medicare parts A and B.

Establishing Medicare was a huge undertaking, and critical to providing a safety net to seniors in America. Legislators recognized, however, that there were gaps in coverage. Therefore, they established Medicare Part C plans (also known as Medicare Advantage plans) as an option for seniors. These plans are sold by private insurers, and are designed to complement Medicare parts A and B. These are supplemental plans that seniors can purchase for additional monthly payments. More recently,  Medicare Part D was created in the early 2000’s. This program specifically targeted the rising cost of prescription drugs, in an effort to make medications more affordable for the elderly.  Multop points out that there are still certain benefits that are not covered through Medicare, including vision, hearing and dental care.

Ridge Multop AARPForty-eight million Americans are covered through the Medicare program, with a total cost topping $680 billion dollars. As people are living longer and the baby boomers age into the program, the rising rolls will increase the costs to maintain Medicare. Multop points out, however, Medicare is not an entitlement. It is a benefit program that people have paid into their entire working life. As expenses increase faster than funding, the Medicare trust fund is projected to run dry by the mid 2020’s, unless changes are made to sustain the program.

Multop shares that today, 75% of the funding for Medicare comes out of the general treasury fund, combined with the payments from the monthly premiums. If the President and Congress fail to come up with a funding formula that will sustain the program, than the result will be premium increases.

In the most recent AARP Bulletin, Multop note that there are three critical questions that voters need to ask their Congressional candidates before heading to the polls this November:

  1. Do you believe that Medicare should be cut to reduce the deficit? (follow-up question can be should Social Security be cut to reduce the deficit?)
  2. Do you prefer converting Medicare to a voucher program?
  3. What changes would you make to ensure that people will continue to get the promised Medicare benefits that they have earned?

Lastly, Multop wants people to know that Medicare recently sent out new cards to all members in April through June of 2018. The old cards contained social security numbers, which put people at risk of identity theft. If you did not receive a new card, contact your local office to get a replacement. He also shares that Medicare will never ask you for a social security number anymore. If you encounter someone requesting this information, it is most likely a fraudulent scam. Should you need help or assistance with understanding Medicare or Medicaid benefits, he encourages people to reach out to the Virginia Insurance Counseling Assistance Program (VICAP). They are available to work with Virginia residents to help understand the various benefits and programs.

Filed Under: Blogging, Medicare, Senior Citizens, TV Shows, Virginia, Your Need to Know Tagged With: AARP, AARP Virginia, Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Part C, Medicare Part D, Medicare Parts A & B, new medicare cards, Ridge Multop

by Rachel Simon

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries with Rebecca Kolowe

(Sept. 19, 2018) Catherine Read interviews Rebecca Kolowe, Executive Director of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM). WFCM provides compassionate, life essential services to reduce hunger and the risk of homelessness amongst vulnerable residents of Western Fairfax County. WFCM serves individuals and families of all ages, religions and nationalities from the communities of Chantilly, Centerville, Clifton, Fairfax Station and Fair Oaks.

Thirty-one years ago, 12 local churches came together to found WFCM. Today, the organization  has the participation of over 40 local communities of faith, including mosques and synagogues.   The food pantry is the primary focus, although they do also offer assistance with utility shut-off and eviction notices. Kolowe notes that they will never turn anyone away, and all who walk through their doors will be served a meal. Most of their clients come to them through referrals from the County, and most return on a monthly basis to stock up on essentials.

Hunger knows no bounds, and WFCM serves those of all age groups. Kolowe points out that 15% of the people frequenting WFCM are seniors. Recently, there were two large fires in the community, which displaced many residents. The senior home that caught on fire destroyed 88 units, and WFCM helped to support the displaced residents. They worked hand in hand with other organizations within the community to help replace items such as medication, dentures and medical equipment.

Rebecca Kolowe WFCMOn October 12th WFCM will hold its 11th annual gala dinner in order to raise funds to support their very important work. Ken Harvey, former linebacker from the Washington Redskins, will be the keynote speaker and Tracie Potts of NBC News will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. Kolowe is excited about the event, and hopes to grow attendance in order to raise money for the organization. If you would like to join them, or become a sponsor, tickets are available on their website.

One of the largest obstacles that many of her clients face is traveling to the pantry, since many of her clients do not have their own cars.  It can sometimes take an entire afternoon of bus travel to make a 5-mile trip to the pantry. Kolowe would love to think outside the box, and work with their partners in the community to help solve these problems. For example, she could envision volunteers who are able to transport clients from their places of worship to and from the pantry, to ease the burden on her clients. There are many possibilities when everyone comes together to help tackle these obstacles, and Kolowe is open to exploring all of the possibilities.

Filed Under: Blogging, Hunger, Poverty, Senior Citizens, TV Shows, Virginia, Your Need to Know Tagged With: Fairfax County, hunger in Fairfax County, Ken Harvey, Rebecca Kolowe, Tracie Potts, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, WFCM

by Rachel Simon

AARP 60th Anniversary with Historian Lily Liu

(Aug. 22, 2018) Catherine Read sits down with Lily Liu, Historian Emerita at the AARP, to discuss the life and legacy of Ethel Percy Andrus, Ph.D. (1884-1967), founder of the organization. (Until 1999, it was known as the American Association of Retired Persons.) As AARP marks its 60th anniversary in 2018, Liu shares important information about the history of the organization and the inspiration she finds in its founder.

Born in 1884, Ethel Percy Andrus was a schoolteacher and made an enormous impact, one student at a time. Upon retirement, she offered her volunteer services as a welfare coordinator in her home state of California. She was shocked when she met so many seniors who were living in poverty, asserting that nobody who works their whole life should have to suffer in this way. A turning point was when she met a retired schoolteacher who was living in a chicken coop because they could not afford their own home. This drove her to found the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA). She worked collectively with the state associations to bring them together to form a Federation that successfully advocated for better pay, retirement and health benefits.

Lily Liu AARP HistorianMany seniors, who were not schoolteachers, reached out to Andrus during that time and asked if they too could join her federation. Unfortunately, they could not because they were not teachers. It did give her the idea to create a broader organization catering to seniors, which led to the birth of the American Association of Retired Persons organization in 1958. 38 million members strong, AARP is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to representing the interests of seniors nationwide. Each state has its own office to support their residents, and Virginia’s AARP headquarters is located in Richmond. A wealth of resources can be found on their website, including premier events, travel opportunities and volunteer jobs that need to be done in the community.

The three pillars of the AARP organization are independence, dignity and purpose. Jim Dowd, Executive Director of the Virginia AARP, works tirelessly day in and day out to advocate on Capitol Hill in Washington, as well as in the halls of the Capitol in Richmond, to ensure that the needs of seniors are well represented when legislation affecting them is being crafted. AARP advocates on issues such as healthcare for seniors, sustaining livable communities, aging in place and everything in between.

Lui reminds us about the importance of having Ethel Percy Andrus as a role model. Andrus began her journey to help seniors upon retirement from a long and successful teaching career. She gave equally as much to the world in her role as an advocate and champion for seniors, as she did to the children she taught in school. She had a vibrant, rewarding and fulfilling life in her “encore years” and serves as an inspiration for all of how to carve out meaning in the chapter of life that begins after retirement.

Filed Under: Blogging, Senior Citizens, TV Shows, Virginia, Your Need to Know Tagged With: AARP, AARP 60th Anniversary, AARP Virginia, American Association Retired Persons, Ethel Percy Andrus, Lily Liu, National Retired Teachers Association

Catherine S. Read
I believe in the power of community and the ability of one person to make a difference.

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