AARP News Quiz: Financial Scams and Senior Advocacy

## Overview The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to serving the needs and interests of Americans aged 50 and older, whether they are working or retired[4]. With over 38 million members, AARP is the largest organization of its kind in the United States[4]. Its mission is to enhance quality of life by promoting independence, dignity, and purpose for older adults, while also addressing their financial security, health, and engagement in society[3]. ## History AARP was founded in 1958 by Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired educator and principal who had previously established the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) in 1947[1][2]. Andrus was moved to action after discovering retired teachers living in poverty, unable to afford adequate housing or health insurance—a common plight before Medicare’s introduction in 1965[2]. Unable to secure private insurance for older adults, Andrus partnered with insurance broker Leonard Davis to create the first group health insurance plan for people over 65, which became the cornerstone of AARP’s offerings[1][2]. The organization quickly expanded beyond educators to serve all retirees, offering not only insurance but also advocacy, community programs, and educational initiatives[1][3]. ## Key Achievements AARP’s early innovations included the first group health insurance plan for seniors, a pioneering mail-order pharmacy service, and the launch of *Modern Maturity* (now *AARP The Magazine*), which remains the highest-circulation magazine in the U.S.[3][5]. The organization has consistently advocated for policy changes benefiting older Americans, such as the creation of Medicare and Social Security reforms[2]. AARP also developed community-based programs in areas like crime prevention, defensive driving, adult education, and consumer affairs[4]. Its Institute of Lifetime Learning promotes the idea that education should be a

The **Affordable Care Act (ACA)**, also known as **Obamacare**, is a landmark U.S. federal health reform law signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It represents the most significant overhaul of the American healthcare system since Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965[2][9]. The ACA’s primary goals are to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, expand Medicaid coverage, and improve the quality of care while controlling healthcare costs[9]. The ACA introduced key reforms phased in over several years, with major provisions fully implemented by 2014. It established health insurance marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase coverage, often with government tax credits to reduce premiums[3][5]. One of its most notable achievements is providing access to insurance for millions of previously uninsured Americans—by 2016, the uninsured rate roughly halved, adding 20 to 24 million newly insured individuals[2]. As of now, over 40 million people have gained coverage, including through Medicaid expansion to 40 states covering 21 million low-income adults[6]. The law also prohibits denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, and mandates preventive care services be covered without cost-sharing[1][3]. It introduced delivery system reforms like accountable care organizations to improve care coordination and efficiency[3]. The ACA has slowed the growth of healthcare spending and reduced income inequality, with many provisions financed by new taxes and Medicare cost adjustments[2]. Despite legal challenges and political opposition—including attempts to repeal it—the ACA remains largely intact and continues to evolve. Recent expansions under the Biden administration, such as enhanced subsidies extended through 2025, have further increased enrollment to record highs[4]. The ACA’s impact extends beyond healthcare, influencing business practices, insurance technology platforms, and federal-state policy dynamics, making it a pivotal subject for those interested in the intersection of business, technology, an

The Older Americans Act (OAA), signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 14, 1965, is not a standalone organization but a landmark federal statute that created the foundational infrastructure for aging services in the United States. Designed to address the lack of community-based support for older adults, the OAA established the Administration on Aging (AoA) and authorized grants to states for planning, delivering, and expanding social services, research, and training in the field of aging. Over the past 60 years, the OAA has evolved into the nation’s primary vehicle for delivering social, nutrition, and community-based services to older Americans. Its hallmark achievement is the creation of a robust national Aging Network, comprising 56 state units on aging, more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), thousands of local service providers, and hundreds of tribal organizations. This network coordinates critical programs such as home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal assistance, and elder abuse prevention. Key milestones include the 1972 establishment of the national nutrition program and the 1973 creation of AAAs, which decentralized service delivery and empowered local communities to tailor programs to their unique needs. Today, the OAA serves over 14 million older adults annually—delivering more than 250 million meals, 14 million rides, and 30 million hours of in-home and caregiver support each year. Notable for its enduring impact, the OAA remains a model of public-private partnership and scalable service delivery, leveraging technology and data to optimize outreach and efficiency. Its success underscores the value of investing in community-based solutions, making it a compelling case study for business and technology leaders interested in scalable, human-centered innovation.