Harry Kiesler

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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Now that the Build Back Better (BBB) Bill has passed the House, it has gone on to the Senate to be debated and voted on.  With all the stuff that is in the Bill, it is hard to know what’s what.  So, here is a list of the key points:

  1.  Climate change – $555 billion to fight against climate change – The bulk of clean energy spending, $320 billion, comes in the form of tax credits for companies and consumers that install solar panels, improve the energy efficiency of buildings and purchase electric vehicles.
  2. Spending also goes towards the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps that would provide some 300,000 jobs to restore forests and wetlands and guard against the effects of rising temperatures; it is somewhat similar to the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps.
  3.  Universal Preschool – $400 billion for free universal preschool for all three and four year olds, which the White House has dubbed the largest expansion in education programs since the creation of public high school.
  4.  Paid Family Leave – $200 billion in this bill creates a permanent, comprehensive national paid leave program that gives employed workers, including those who are self-employed, four weeks of paid family and medical leave, which can be used for caregiving or personal illness.
  5.  Healthcare Premiums – $165 billion of this spending bill reduces health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act and expands Medicare coverage to include hearing benefits.
  6.  Prescription Price Regulation – The BBB Bill also delivers a compromise for taking on Big Pharma over rising drug prices.  It would restrict how much drug makers can increase their prices each year and set an annual limit on out-of-pocket spending, but only after those drugs have been on the market for about a decade.  This means drug companies could still charge an enormous amount for new drugs, with price regulation taking effect nine years later for most common medications and 13 years later for more complicated drugs.  Contrary-wise, out-of-pocket costs for insulin, a protein hormone used to treat diabetes, would be capped at $35 for a 30-day supply, significantly lower than current costs, starting in 2023.
  7.  Affordable Home Care – The plan provides $150 billion in funding for a Medicaid program that supports in-home health care, helping to reduce a backlog of people waiting to receive subsidized home care and improve wages for providers.
  8.  Affordable Housing – Another $150 billion will go towards building more than 1 million new rental and single-family homes.  The bill aims to reduce cost pressures by providing rental and down-payment assistance through an expanded voucher program.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Build Back Better Bill that includes a 10-year “amnesty-lite” in the form of work permits, Social Security numbers, eligibility for welfare benefits, and the ability to get a driver’s license to 4-5 million illegal immigrants.

AARP backs this bill because of the affordable prescription drugs and the paid family leave. These are important, but don’t forget about the rest of the bill!  Let your Senators know how you feel about this bill.  Let your voice be heard!  Don’t forget to thank your Representatives for doing their due diligence and voting on this bill.

In-Person Meeting Sign Up … Joy Walsh

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For our future in-person Campbell Chapter meetings, hopefully beginning January 18, there is a 50-members limit.  So, advance reservations will need to be made via Joy Walsh, Telephone Committee Chair.  No one will be allowed into the meeting without a reservation, a mask, and proof of vaccination (if still required at the time of the meeting).  These are AARP National and Campbell Community Center rules.  To sign-up, please email:  joywalsh1@comcast.net(preferred)or call her cell phone number listed on page 3:  Callers must speak clearly and spell your last name if leaving a voice message.  Until local health department rules change, coffee and goodies will not be provided, but you are free to bring drinks and snacks for your own consumption.

Telephone Committee … Joy Walsh

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One of my callers needs to be replaced.  We need a cheerful volunteer to call 8 people during the week prior to the Chapter meeting.  The calls are placed before the 3rd Tuesday of the month and every other week to check how members are doing.  If members have any special needs, you should contact our President, Margaret, to see if there is something the chapter can help with.

President’s Message … Margaret Schieck

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Welcome to Fall, everyone.  There is a lot happening in the month of October.  The Campbell Octoberfest will be on October 16th and 17th in downtown Campbell.  Even if you are not a beer drinker, it’s lots of fun to be downtown and outdoors.  October 11th is both Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day with celebrations to match and, of course, Halloween is on the 31st. If you choose to come in costume to our general meeting, even if virtual, feel free to do so.

We still do not know when National AARP will give an okay for in-person group meetings.  I just keep getting told “until further notice” no meetings of more than five people indoors.  I will let you know as soon as I know.  I have asked for exemption because we are in a city that is over 90% vaccinated, and a county that is over 80% vaccinated, but cannot get an approval from National.  I’ll keep trying.

As promised, I did attend the meeting on Heat Stroke, Climate Change, and Seniors.  The greatest danger to older adults is not when we would think, but in the winter.  More seniors die of heat stroke when there is an unexpected heat surge in the winter because our bodies have not had a chance to acclimate to a warming up.  This used to be more common in Southern California, but with climate change the phenomenon is moving north as well.  Be aware that warming weather in January or February means drink more water and stay cool.

AARP October Meeting … Paul Levine and Anne Anderson

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The speaker for our October 19 meeting will be Cassie Kifer.  Cassie is a San Jose-based author, communications consultant, urban planner, and explorer.  Her work has been featured in Delta Sky Magazine, National Geographic Travel, Fodor’s Travel, Thrillist, and on the website of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.  When she is home, you can find her seeking out interesting food and cultural experiences and hiking the South Bay’s many parks and open spaces with her husband and rescued shelter dog, Riley.

Cassie’s presentation will consist of a description of several of the local attractions discussed in her book entitled “Secret San Jose:  A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.”

Membership … Shelly Schwartz

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Beginning this month, the Dispatch includes the Membership Application on page 3.  We begin accepting Membership’s yearly dues for the upcoming year to get a headstart on 2022.  When you renew, the Application must accompany your check.  Please note that our dues are listed on the application and remain the same as last year.  New members who join before year’s end will only pay for the 2022 calendar year.