AARP 2008 Annual Report Download - page 3

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health care reform and long-term financial security. While our challenges will be great, I am confident we
are up to the task to take on this mantle of leadership.
Letter from the CEO – Bill Novelli
As this annual report shows, 2008 was a year of both significant accomplishment and substantial challenge
for AARP. Despite the fact that the U.S. economy experienced one of the worst economic downturns in
U.S. history during much of 2008, we achieved a great deal.
We celebrated AARP’s 50th anniversary in style, reflecting on the vision of our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy
Andrus. We helped to build a stronger future for all generations through community rebuild projects and by
giving more than $1 million in scholarships for innovative high schools in every state. And we helped our
members enjoy the celebration with rock, jazz, and gospel concerts and an inspiring event at the Lincoln
Memorial during our Life@50+ National Event & Expo in Washington, D.C., in September.
In 2008, we put health care reform at the top of the nation’s agenda, along with financial security. Our
Divided We Fail (DWF) program helped turn the political tide by engaging the public and demanding that
candidates for public office pledge action on health care and financial security.
This was a true grassroots effort, driven by AARP members and their friends and neighbors. They came out
in droves at DWF events, campaign stops by presidential and Congressional candidates, and other forums,
clad in their red shirts to advocate for health care reform and to show that they care deeply about building a
better future.
We achieved solid advocacy gains on other fronts as well. For example, our members persuaded several
legislatures to shift more Medicaid dollars to home- and community-based care so those who need long-
term care could get support at home, instead of being placed in a nursing home.
In California, our members achieved a victory for good government by leading the fight to pass Proposition
11. This gives responsibility for drawing the boundary of state Senate and Assembly legislative districts to
a citizens’ panel—not politicians—starting in 2011. In doing so, we helped create a model in California that