NH DHHS - NH Senior Volunteers Honored for Their Service to Seniors

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas and Governor Maggie Hassan joined with the

State Committee on Aging and EngAGING NH to recognize this year’s

recipients of the Vaughan Awards. These awards are presented annually to a

couple or individual from each county who are 60 or older and have

demonstrated outstanding leadership and volunteer service on behalf of

senior citizens across New Hampshire.



“New Hampshire citizens have a long tradition of coming together and

working with one another to improve our communities,” said Governor Hassan.

“The Vaughan Award winners are a shining example of that tradition, proving

that when we care for each other, we all get stronger. On behalf of the

people of New Hampshire, I thank this year’s winners for their service and

dedication to making the Granite State a great place to live and work.”



“We are very fortunate here in New Hampshire to have so many seniors who

make volunteering a part of their lives,” said DHHS Commissioner Toumpas.

“It is so important that we recognize efforts of the Vaughan Award

recipients and all of our senior volunteers. All that they do has helped

to strengthen our communities and the network of programs and services

available for seniors in our State.”

This year's recipients are:

Belknap County: Jane Alden of Tilton

Carroll County: Don Litchko of Conway

Cheshire County: Theresa Johnson & Ernie Perham of Westmoreland

Coos County: Robert Loven of Dummer

Grafton County: Jodi Austin of Lebanon

Hillsborough County: Joyce Wilson of Manchester

Merrimack County: Irene Jewett of East Andover

Rockingham County: Barbara Coish of Windham

Strafford County: John Robicheau of Farmington

Sullivan County: Larry Eaton of Sunapee.



This year’s awardees will be honored in a ceremony on May 6, 2013 at 1:30

PM in the Executive Council Chamber at the State House. This award was

initiated in 1962 to memorialize the Honorable Joseph D. Vaughan, who was

instrumental in creating a State agency dedicated to the well being of

senior citizens.



For more information, contact event coordinator Roger Vachon at

603-223-6903 or via email at skeeter4us@aol.com.

NH DHHS - State Seeking Nominations for Senior Volunteer Awards

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) announces the nomination process is underway for the Joseph D.

Vaughan Awards. The Vaughan Awards are an annual effort aimed at

recognizing outstanding leadership and initiative among New Hampshire

senior volunteers. EngAGING NH and New Hampshire’s State Committee on

Aging (SCOA) are organizing this annual event.



“Senior volunteers are a vital part of our communities,” said Vaughan Award

Coordinator Roger Vachon. “Their work enriches the lives of others. It’s

important that we take the time to recognize the value of their service.”



The Vaughan Awards were initiated in 1962 in memory of Joseph D. Vaughan, a

New Hampshire legislator and an advocate on behalf of older residents.

Vaughan was instrumental in creating a state agency dedicated to the well

being of senior citizens.



The Vaughan Awards recognize individuals or couples over the age of 60 who

demonstrate outstanding leadership or meritorious achievement as volunteers

on behalf of New Hampshire’s older citizens. Nominees must be residents of

New Hampshire whose volunteer work is in New Hampshire.



EngAGING NH and SCOA will review all nominations and select one volunteer

or couple from each county to be honored. Each county’s winning volunteer

will honored during a Statehouse ceremony in Concord in May. Nominations

must be received no later than March 15, 2013. Nominations can be emailed

to engagingnh@yahoo.com or mailed to Vaughan Awards Committee c/o Roger

Vachon, 19 Centerwood Drive, Concord, NH 03301. For more information

contact Roger Vachon at 223-6903.

Obama Loves AARP. AMAC Fights Back

AMAC vs. AARP – Battling for the Hearts and Minds of Seniors

During the first debate, President Obama touted the support of AARP for ObamaCare several times, clearly tying them together. Further proof that they were working in concert can be found in recently released emails between the White House and AARP operatives. As the emails show, AARP threw their tremendous power behind the legislation despite the fact they were getting calls overwhelmingly against it.

In fact, on September 20, 2012, Kimberly A. Strassel of the Wall Street Journal wrote:

"Thanks to just-released emails from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we now know that AARP worked through 2009-2010 as an extension of a Democratic White House, toiling daily to pass a health bill that slashes $716 billion from Medicare, strips seniors of choice, and sets the stage for rationing. We know that despite AARP's awareness that its seniors overwhelmingly opposed the bill, the ‘nonpartisan organization' chose to serve the president's agenda.

The 71 pages of emails show an AARP management taking orders from the White House, scripting the president's talking points, working to keep its board ‘in line' and pledging a fealty to ‘the cause.' Seniors deserve to know all this, as AARP seeks to present itself as neutral in this presidential election."

AARP refuses to take a formal position on the Independent Payment Advisory Board ("rationing board") portion of ObamaCare and even defends some aspects of the board. Given the negative impact that the IPAB will have on seniors, this is unbelievable (but sadly, not unexpected).

AMAC is against the harsh provisions in ObamaCare that gives the Federal government complete control of our healthcare. It destroys the best healthcare system in the world, takes 716 billion dollars out of Medicare, and has the power to restrict and ration our medical treatment.

AMAC is fighting to keep our right to receive treatment from our doctors without the interference of Federal bureaucrats.

Big government experiments like the "stimulus" and ObamaCare have only increased the uncertainty and instability, and are core reasons for the persistently high unemployment rate and why the household incomes of Mature Americans have declined so much.

AMAC, The Association of Mature American Citizens, believes we can do much better. As a steadily growing alternative to groups like AARP, and with an expanding influence in the nation's capital, we aim to champion the interests of Mature Americans, seniors, and prospective retirees. We believe in religious freedom, free enterprise, and support common sense solutions to our Nation's largest challenges.

Bottom line – Our livelihoods, our families' future prosperity and our standards of living should not be threatened by bad policies emanating from Washington, DC.

AMAC Fights for You!

Dan Weber, President and Founder of AMAC, delivers remarks with the House GOP Doctors Caucus the day the Supreme Court decided to uphold ObamaCare. Standing with Dan are (from left to right) Representatives, Paul Broun (GA-10th), John Fleming (LA-4th), Phil Gingrey GA-11th), Joe Heck (NV-3rd), Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25th), and Tim Murphy (PA-18th).

As AMAC continues to grow and build a presence in DC, we're able to stand up to the tremendous lobbying power of AARP on behalf of concerned conservative Americans like you.

A senator told us, "You have got to grow AMAC!" When we asked him why, he said, "You don't understand, when AARP comes to our committees they say they represent older Americans. We know at times they really don't, but because of their numbers we have got to listen to them. When AMAC has one million members we can tell them they are not the only one we will listen to."

AMAC can do something AARP will not do – we'll help replace the horror of ObamaCare with common sense solutions that will preserve our rights while improving the level of healthcare for all Americans! To do it, we need your help!

If you want to belong to an organization that will speak out for the values you believe in,

For a limited time, a 5-year membership is available for less than $1 a month, and you’ll have access to exclusive AMAC benefits – such as the members-only auto and home insurance program, the AMAC Roadside Assistance Program, travel, and much more!

RNC - Tom Thomson to Speak at North Haverhill Senior Center

Tom Thomson to Emphasize the Big Choice Granite Staters Face at Candidate Forum at North Haverhill Senior Center

Bedford, NH –  Tuesday, Tom Thomson will speak at the Horse Meadow Senior Center in North Haverhill during the candidate forum to discuss Governor Romney’s record of working across the aisle to solve problems, create jobs, and turn around our economy.

Voters face a real choice this November: four more years of higher federal taxes and less take-home pay in Obama’s stagnant economy, or a chance for a real recovery with pro-growth policies that reform our tax code, strengthen our entitlements, and deliver more jobs and take-home pay. The following event is open to the press:

Tuesday, October 9, 2012:

Event:                                   Candidate Forum

Location:                             Horse Meadow Senior Center

                                            91 Horsemeadow Road

                                            Haverhill, NH

Time:                                    6:00 PM EDT

Bass For Congress - Congressman Charlie Bass Releases Seniors Steering Committee

Concord, NH – Congressman Charlie Bass (R-NH) announced today his campaign’s “Seniors Steering Committee,” a group of more than 50 senior citizens from all counties across New Hampshire’s 2^nd District.  Bass has always placed a high priority on meeting directly with New Hampshire seniors and responding to their concerns.   He has hosted numerous health care fairs for seniors and has established office hours inside senior centers to make it more convenient for seniors to speak with him.   In Congress, Bass continues to fight for seniors by making sure they have increased access and lower costs for health insurance, and that Social Security is put back on a road to solvency.

Former State Representative, Terri Dudley, a senior from Lebanon stated, "New Hampshire seniors know that Charlie Bass has never and will never vote to end Medicare, and will always protect the benefits today's seniors are currently receiving.  He understands that it will take leadership and bipartisan solutions to protect Medicare from going bankrupt in 2024 and that it was wrong to take money from the Medicare program to pay for other parts of the President's health care law. I support and encourage all seniors to vote for Charlie because he will continue to help them get the benefits they have earned and expect while preserving and protecting Medicare for our children and grandchildren.”  

Discussing his reasons for supporting Congressman Bass, Wally Stickney, a Salem senior said, "Charlie Bass has earned the support of seniors through his work and outreach to the senior community. Charlie has hosted senior focused health care events, is constantly meeting with seniors directly by visiting senior centers throughout the state and is always available to help find solutions to problems that seniors may face trying to get answers to questions about their Medicare and Social Security benefits that they have earned.  Charlie Bass has always been there to help."

Marilyn Huston, a senior from Keene said, “We need a common-sense, bipartisan approach to protect programs like Social Security. I know Charlie Bass will work in that manner to ensure that Congress delivers on its promise to seniors as well as strengthen the long-term viability of the program for future generations. New Hampshire seniors deserve someone who will never support a plan that compromises the benefits that they have earned and depend on. That person is Charlie Bass.”   

Bass added, “I am honored to earn the support of seniors across the Second District of New Hampshire. I understand the difficult decisions facing our nation and that we need to protect Medicare from going bankrupt in 2024. I have supported a bipartisan effort to strengthen and save Medicare from bankruptcy and provide future seniors more guaranteed options and choices to meet their medical needs. Regardless of what option a senior chooses, they should always receive the coverage they expect and never be discriminated against. I am willing to work across party lines to fix the challenges facing Medicare and protect seniors’ earned benefits. As a Congressman, I will continue to meet with seniors and fight for them in Washington.”

Bass supported legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a board of unelected bureaucrats that would be between seniors and their doctor to limit health care access for Medicare beneficiaries as a means of saving money. Bass also supported legislation that would bring down health care costs for seniors by reforming frivolous medical liability claims that drive up the cost of care. Charlie’s hard work and commitment to seniors was recognized by RetireSafe, a nonpartisan organization that represents more than 400,000 seniors nationwide, who awarded Bass with the 2012 “Standing Up for America's Seniors” award.

The Bass Senior Steering committee includes:

Brownwyn Asplund-Walsh, Franklin Frank Baggett, Windham Alberta Baggett, Windham Bill Balam, Milford Vivian Balam, Milford Arthur Barnes, Salem Leigh Bosse, Hillsborough Joyce Bosse, Hillsborough Paul Chevalier, Hudson Muffy Copenhaver, Littleton Gibb Cornwell, Lyme Mary Cornwell, Lyme Luc Cote, Errol David Currier, Henniker Barbara Downie, Bow Frmr. Rep Terri Dudley, Lebanon Carol Elliot, Plymouth Mike Flathes, Salem John Harrison, Concord Ann Harrison, Concord Don Holder, Amherst Bob Hopenhaver, Littleton David Hurst, Franklin Marilyn Huston, Keene Bing Judd, Pittsburg David Kidder, New London Natalie Lagasse, Bow

Rep. Priscilla Lockwood, Canterbury Frederick Loizer, Amherst Everrett McBride, Salem Walt Morse, Hillsborough Bonnie Morse, Hillsborough Carol Mosman, Plymouth Donald Mosman, Plymouth JoAnn Munro, Peterborough Walter Nice, Nashua Dorothy Nice, Nashua Rep. Skip Reilly, Hill Rep. William Remick, Lancaster Helen Rowe, Amherst Janet Schaw, Bow Mary Lee Siel, Bow David L. Simpson, Jr., Peterborough Wally Stickney, Salem Nancy Stickney, Salem Fred Ward, Stoddard Ruth Ward, Stoddard Earl Strout, Lyme Beverly Strout, Lyme Elmer Tasker, Northwood Linda Twombly, Nashua Rep. Tim Twombly, Nashua Tony Urban, Berlin Marge Welch, Bow