BISMARCK, N.D. – Some North Dakotans say it's time for Congress to move on reforms that address the rising cost of prescription medications.

AARP North Dakota members will be delivering nearly 3,000 petitions to Rep. Kelly Armstrong on Friday that call for a crackdown on price gouging and unscrupulous practices that keep drug prices artificially high.

Mike Chaussee, advocacy director at AARP North Dakota, says his organization hears from older adults all the time who have to make the difficult choice between purchasing their medicine or buying food.

"And it sounds dramatic until you talk to people,” he states. “And typically what happens is they forgo getting the drug. And it's drugs that can help them live, but not only that, live healthy, productive, meaningful, wonderful lives."

Specifically, Chaussee says reforms are needed that allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices; cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors; increase the availability of generic medication; and ensure pharmaceutical companies can justify major price hikes.

Drug manufacturers say rising costs are the result of research and development, which they argue has created significant innovations.

Seniors with chronic conditions pay on average $13,000 a year for medications, which is no surprise to Roger Roehl of Mandan.

When he switched to Medicare from his employer's plan, the price of his chemotherapy medication skyrocketed to $2,400 a month – from just $10.

He says he decided to purchase the drug in Canada, where it was about $600.

"We need some fairness in this country with our medicine pricing,” Roehl stresses. “And I don't begrudge the drug companies of having the right to the drug to get their research and development. But it's just greed. An acne medicine is not going to be $2,000, but anything you need to live they're going to charge you."

And Chaussee notes most seniors are living on a fixed income, and take on average four to five prescriptions a month.

"The average annual cost of prescription drug treatment increased between 2012 and 2017, 57.8%,” he points out. “The increase in income for North Dakotans was 6.7%. So the hole is getting deeper and deeper."

A Senate committee recently passed the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, which would add an out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare beneficiaries and penalize prescription drug companies for prices that rise faster than inflation.

Senators are also considering the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act, which would prevent drug manufacturers from blocking the development of lower-cost generics.

Correcting hearing loss by using hearing aids is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia during aging, according to a new Global Council on Brain Health report.

Sarah Lock, executive director of the council, said the report should be a wakeup call for everyone, especially older Americans. She urges people not to let the stigma sometimes associated with hearing loss get in the way of prioritizing hearing health.

"Hearing promotes emotional well being, mental well being and your cognitive health. It's just too important not to take care of," she said. "And when you can do something as simple as getting a hearing aid to correct hearing loss, why wouldn't you want to do that?"

Researchers say if left untreated, hearing loss also increases risks associated with social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression.

Lock added the report underscores warnings by the U.S. Surgeon General that the nation is experiencing a loneliness and social isolation epidemic, with health impacts equal to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Age-related hearing decline is not curable, but it can be treated with hearing aids that achieve the crucial goal of helping people hear better. While hearing loss is often associated with aging, Lock says it's important for people of all ages to protect their hearing.

"Pop those little foam plugs in your ears so that you're not having your ears assaulted at work or at noisy concerts. So there are simple things that you can do to protect your hearing, no matter what age you are," she explained.

An AARP survey found that nearly six in ten Americans age 50 and older have not had a hearing test in the past five years, as recommended. And only 38% said their hearing was excellent. But Lock pointed out nearly 8 in 10 say they would address hearing loss if they knew it could impact brain health.

"AARP offers free screenings for members. If you go to AARP.org/hearing, you can find the hearing center, and you can take a free hearing test over the phone," she continued.


get more stories like this via email

AARP Iowa is on a road trip, taking knowledge to family caregivers wherever they are and helping them learn more about the resources that may be available to them. It is part of the association's larger effort to educate people about caregiving in Iowa.

AARP Iowa data show the state's 330,000 unpaid family caregivers provide 310 million hours of care every year in the state, which is valued at more than $5 billion.

Brad Anderson, state director for AARP Iowa, said caregivers are busy and often do not know what to expect or where to get information.

"For example, they need to know, 'How do I get in touch with the Area Agency on Aging?' They need to know, 'How does Medicare work?' They need to know, 'Is my loved one on the right prescription drug program?'" Anderson outlined.

AARP is traveling the state from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River in a big red RV to distribute information. Anderson noted they are making stops at grocery stores, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies; the most likely places to run across people who have just inherited caregiving duties.

There are other, more 'hands-on' things caregivers need to know but Anderson added since most people fall into the role, there is no real formal training and they have to learn their new role on the fly.

"How do I feed my loved one? How do I care for a wound? Maybe how do I even lift this person up and help them into bed?" Anderson explained. "These are all things that sometimes happen, literally, overnight."

The informational tour is scheduled to last into August.

AARP has selected four projects in Idaho to receive $49,000 in grants.

The projects were chosen by the organization's annual Community Challenge grant program. The program is designed to support proposals that make cities more livable for people of all ages, especially those age 50 and older, and can be built quickly.

Marie Bonaminio, a volunteer for AARP Idaho, said the program selected three of the four projects in the state this year to boost rural communities.

"A couple of the grants are things that will bring people outdoors, that will keep them active and also to help some of the things that have fallen apart, to be honest, in some of these areas," Bonaminio explained. "Because they just don't have the dollars to keep things, maybe, fixed up and in good condition."

Projects in the cities of Cascade, Marsing and Salmon will improve outdoor areas to encourage social gathering, especially among older Idahoans. The grant program also is providing $15,000 to LEAP Housing, an Idaho affordable housing nonprofit, which will use the funding to renovate housing in Nampa. The projects must be completed by Dec. 15.

Bonaminio added it is a thrill to get to be part of the Community Challenge grant program.

"You walk away just thinking, 'Wow, we have done so much for these small communities to keep them alive and vibrant,'" Bonaminio observed. "I'm so excited to be part of this project. I look forward to it every year."

This year, AARP is investing $3.8 million in more than 340 projects across the country. Since 2017, it has awarded 30 grants in Idaho, worth nearly $330,000 in total.