Bill Sweeney
@billsweeney.bsky.social
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP. Views are my own and reposts are not endorsements.
Public transit should be faster than going on foot. This is a great example of advocacy in action!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘I don’t like winning’: Toronto man outruns streetcars to show up sluggish transit network
Mac Bauer’s racing activism has made ‘signal priority’ and traffic congestion a big talking point for the Canadian city
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Public transit should be faster than going on foot. This is a great example of advocacy in action!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum. n.pr/4pSCHIa
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.
n.pr
December 30, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum. n.pr/4pSCHIa
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
A "pig butchering" scam might open with a simple “Hi” or some good-natured confusion about why your phone number seems to be in the person’s address book.
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
What’s a Pig Butchering Scam? Here’s How to Avoid Falling Victim to One.
Thousands have lost huge sums after being lured into fraudulent online investment schemes by seemingly attractive strangers who strike up online conversations with them. Here’s a guide to spotting the...
www.propublica.org
December 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
A "pig butchering" scam might open with a simple “Hi” or some good-natured confusion about why your phone number seems to be in the person’s address book.
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
Congress is poised to leave for a scheduled holiday recess without a solution for addressing the expiration of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. n.pr/4q9lB8z
How the long-running Obamacare fight came to thwart enhanced subsidies in Congress
Congress is poised to leave for a scheduled holiday recess without a solution for addressing the expiration of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans.
n.pr
December 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Congress is poised to leave for a scheduled holiday recess without a solution for addressing the expiration of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. n.pr/4q9lB8z
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
Hours-long wait times. Endless looping music. Useless robot messages. Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security every month.
What they experience is often maddening.
What they experience is often maddening.
Callers to Social Security wait for hours to get help. Hear their ordeals.
Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security’s 1-800 number every month. What they experience is often maddening.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Hours-long wait times. Endless looping music. Useless robot messages. Millions of seniors and disabled people call Social Security every month.
What they experience is often maddening.
What they experience is often maddening.
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
One woman's quest to recover more than $50,000 in missing 401(k) money shows the risks in some small retirement plans.
Her 401(k) Contributions Vanished—and Her Company Had No Answers
One woman’s quest to recover more than $50,000 in missing 401(k) money shows the risks in some small retirement plans.
on.wsj.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:19 AM
One woman's quest to recover more than $50,000 in missing 401(k) money shows the risks in some small retirement plans.
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
Key monthly costs for most Americans — shelter, food, health care, electricity — are outpacing inflation.
“I found myself really working more than 80 hours a week just to be able to support my family during this difficult time,” said a mother of two.
“I found myself really working more than 80 hours a week just to be able to support my family during this difficult time,” said a mother of two.
From electricity to rent, monthly bills are tipping the inflation scale
Housing, healthcare, food and utility prices are outpacing inflation and taking an outsized share of Americans’ paychecks.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Key monthly costs for most Americans — shelter, food, health care, electricity — are outpacing inflation.
“I found myself really working more than 80 hours a week just to be able to support my family during this difficult time,” said a mother of two.
“I found myself really working more than 80 hours a week just to be able to support my family during this difficult time,” said a mother of two.
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
Electric bills in New York haven’t been this high for a decade, and they’re about to rise even more. Here’s why.
nysfocus.com/2025/09/18/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/09/18/n...
Why Your Energy Bills Are Going Up — Again
Electric bills in New York haven't been this high for a decade, and they're about to rise even more. Here's why.
nysfocus.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Electric bills in New York haven’t been this high for a decade, and they’re about to rise even more. Here’s why.
nysfocus.com/2025/09/18/n...
nysfocus.com/2025/09/18/n...
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
The ACIP vote was tied 6-6 for requiring everyone to get a prescription for the COVID19 vaccine.
The chair broke the tie by voting NO.
Prescriptions will NOT be required.
The chair broke the tie by voting NO.
Prescriptions will NOT be required.
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
The ACIP vote was tied 6-6 for requiring everyone to get a prescription for the COVID19 vaccine.
The chair broke the tie by voting NO.
Prescriptions will NOT be required.
The chair broke the tie by voting NO.
Prescriptions will NOT be required.
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
In a shocking on-air moment, a “Fox and Friends” co-host said homeless people suffering from mental health issues who refuse help should be killed
'Just Kill 'Em': Fox Host Makes Shocking Comment On Homeless People
"Fox and Friends" co-host Brian Kilmeade made a jaw-dropping remark while discussing homelessness and mental health.
www.huffpost.com
September 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In a shocking on-air moment, a “Fox and Friends” co-host said homeless people suffering from mental health issues who refuse help should be killed
“It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”
—FDR, signing Social Security into law, 90 years ago today, August 14, 1935
—FDR, signing Social Security into law, 90 years ago today, August 14, 1935
August 14, 2025 at 10:44 AM
“It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”
—FDR, signing Social Security into law, 90 years ago today, August 14, 1935
—FDR, signing Social Security into law, 90 years ago today, August 14, 1935
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
A growing share of people in the second half of life, many of them longtime homeowners, are choosing to rent instead of own.
Do You Need to Own a House? Many Older Americans Decide They Don’t
Rising property tax, insurance and home-repair costs are prompting some people 55 and older to consider renting
on.wsj.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
A growing share of people in the second half of life, many of them longtime homeowners, are choosing to rent instead of own.
The #SocialSecurity cost of living adjustment gets a lot of discussion every year... but did you know it didn't start off adjusting for inflation? It took hard work from advocates to create the COLA, and then to fight for years to keep it!
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Social Security COLA 2026: How Much Will Payments Increase?
Here’s what analysts estimate the benefit boost could come in at next year
www.aarp.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The #SocialSecurity cost of living adjustment gets a lot of discussion every year... but did you know it didn't start off adjusting for inflation? It took hard work from advocates to create the COLA, and then to fight for years to keep it!
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Today, marks the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing #Medicare into law.
Before it, half of seniors had no health coverage. Today, nearly all do. It didn’t just change health care, it changed how we age in America. #Medicare60
Read more: www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Before it, half of seniors had no health coverage. Today, nearly all do. It didn’t just change health care, it changed how we age in America. #Medicare60
Read more: www.aarp.org/social-secur...
How Social Security and Medicare Transformed Aging in America
July 30 marks Medicare’s 60th anniversary, Aug. 14 is Social Security’s 90th
www.aarp.org
July 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Today, marks the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing #Medicare into law.
Before it, half of seniors had no health coverage. Today, nearly all do. It didn’t just change health care, it changed how we age in America. #Medicare60
Read more: www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Before it, half of seniors had no health coverage. Today, nearly all do. It didn’t just change health care, it changed how we age in America. #Medicare60
Read more: www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Congress gutted nursing home staffing rules in the reconciliation bill—no nurses required, no minimum staff, not until 2035. The bare minimum was too much to ask? This is what happens when profits matter more than people.
📎 aarp.org/advocacy/one-big-beautiful-bill-nursing-homes/
📎 aarp.org/advocacy/one-big-beautiful-bill-nursing-homes/
How the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ Could Impact America’s Nursing Home Residents
Mandatory staffing increases could save thousands of lives per year. Residents will now have to wait nearly a decade for them
aarp.org
July 25, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Congress gutted nursing home staffing rules in the reconciliation bill—no nurses required, no minimum staff, not until 2035. The bare minimum was too much to ask? This is what happens when profits matter more than people.
📎 aarp.org/advocacy/one-big-beautiful-bill-nursing-homes/
📎 aarp.org/advocacy/one-big-beautiful-bill-nursing-homes/
#SocialSecurity is so important to Americans - of all ages. It's more important today than it's ever been. Learn more about @aarp.org's newest report!
www.cbsnews.com/news/social-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/social-...
Growing share of retirees lean heavily on Social Security, AARP says
More than three-quarters of Americans fear Social Security won't provide enough to live on when they retire, AARP study finds.
www.cbsnews.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
#SocialSecurity is so important to Americans - of all ages. It's more important today than it's ever been. Learn more about @aarp.org's newest report!
www.cbsnews.com/news/social-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/social-...
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
The Trump administration said it will continue a program that allows certain employers to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage, ending a Biden-era effort to phase out the practice.
Subminimum wage to stay in place for disabled workers
The Labor Department withdrew a rule that would have mandated minimum wage for disabled workers.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The Trump administration said it will continue a program that allows certain employers to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage, ending a Biden-era effort to phase out the practice.
"If you've paid into the system your entire life and need a question answered, should you really have to wait two hours?"
#SocialSecurity
www.nextavenue.org/what-the-hec...
#SocialSecurity
www.nextavenue.org/what-the-hec...
What the Heck Is Happening at Social Security?
Amid the chaos at the Social Security Administration, dance the 3-step to get the assistance you need
www.nextavenue.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
"If you've paid into the system your entire life and need a question answered, should you really have to wait two hours?"
#SocialSecurity
www.nextavenue.org/what-the-hec...
#SocialSecurity
www.nextavenue.org/what-the-hec...
These are some of the older Americans who will be hurt if this budget bill cuts food benefits. AARP is telling Congress: don’t cut Medicaid or food assistance #SNAP #Foodinsecurity
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
Food Benefit Cuts Threaten Older Adults
Proposed SNAP changes could affect millions of adults 50+
www.aarp.org
June 26, 2025 at 10:45 PM
These are some of the older Americans who will be hurt if this budget bill cuts food benefits. AARP is telling Congress: don’t cut Medicaid or food assistance #SNAP #Foodinsecurity
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
Reposted by Bill Sweeney
After being hired to promote Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program, Deloitte Consulting priced reports about its own marketing performance at $300,000 a month.
A final report, which was due in February, could cost the state nearly half a million.
➡️ Read the full story: propub.li/3YOiJ66
A final report, which was due in February, could cost the state nearly half a million.
➡️ Read the full story: propub.li/3YOiJ66
May 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
After being hired to promote Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program, Deloitte Consulting priced reports about its own marketing performance at $300,000 a month.
A final report, which was due in February, could cost the state nearly half a million.
➡️ Read the full story: propub.li/3YOiJ66
A final report, which was due in February, could cost the state nearly half a million.
➡️ Read the full story: propub.li/3YOiJ66
I know this may come as a shock, but big drug companies are trying to quietly pass a bill in Congress that would INCREASE prices for drugs in Medicare. It sounds confusing but it really isn't - Congress should be LOWERING prices, not RAISING them!! #Rx #BigPharma
blog.aarp.org/thinking-pol...
blog.aarp.org/thinking-pol...
Proposed Change to Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Warrants Deeper Scrutiny
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 includes many provisions designed to address high prescription drug prices and related out-of-pocket costs. One of the most notable changes allows Medicare to...
blog.aarp.org
May 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I know this may come as a shock, but big drug companies are trying to quietly pass a bill in Congress that would INCREASE prices for drugs in Medicare. It sounds confusing but it really isn't - Congress should be LOWERING prices, not RAISING them!! #Rx #BigPharma
blog.aarp.org/thinking-pol...
blog.aarp.org/thinking-pol...
1 in 4 older adults falls each year — and for veterans, the risk is even higher.
That’s why AARP supports the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act: bipartisan legislation to prevent falls and protect the health of older vets.
More here: www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
#Veterans #FallsPrevention #Aging
That’s why AARP supports the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act: bipartisan legislation to prevent falls and protect the health of older vets.
More here: www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
#Veterans #FallsPrevention #Aging
AARP Backs Legislation to Prevent Falls Among Older Veterans
Action needed to address this deadly issue that affects older veterans more than others
www.aarp.org
April 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
1 in 4 older adults falls each year — and for veterans, the risk is even higher.
That’s why AARP supports the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act: bipartisan legislation to prevent falls and protect the health of older vets.
More here: www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
#Veterans #FallsPrevention #Aging
That’s why AARP supports the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act: bipartisan legislation to prevent falls and protect the health of older vets.
More here: www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
#Veterans #FallsPrevention #Aging
Congress has underfunded Social Security for years, even as demand is higher than ever before. Now we see more cuts without a clear plan to improve service. You paid not only for your benefits, but the service that comes with it.
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
At Social Security Offices, Beneficiaries Worry About Cuts
Staff cuts at offices raise concerns about quality of service and impact on benefits
www.aarp.org
April 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Congress has underfunded Social Security for years, even as demand is higher than ever before. Now we see more cuts without a clear plan to improve service. You paid not only for your benefits, but the service that comes with it.
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
www.aarp.org/social-secur...
Imagine losing your life savings to a criminal — and then being told there’s nothing your local police can do. That’s the reality for too many victims of financial fraud.
AARP is backing the bipartisan GUARD Act to give law enforcement the resources to fight back.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
AARP is backing the bipartisan GUARD Act to give law enforcement the resources to fight back.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
AARP Backs Legislation to Help Local Police Fight Elder Fraud
Federal GUARD Act would provide more resources to investigate financial crimes
www.aarp.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Imagine losing your life savings to a criminal — and then being told there’s nothing your local police can do. That’s the reality for too many victims of financial fraud.
AARP is backing the bipartisan GUARD Act to give law enforcement the resources to fight back.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
AARP is backing the bipartisan GUARD Act to give law enforcement the resources to fight back.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
Criminals increasingly use #cryptocurrency ATMs to steal money from people. AARP is fighting back - passing laws in states across the country (and just yesterday in Maryland!) to put some commonsense protections in place to protect you from #fraud.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
AARP Fights Back Against Scammers Who Use Crypto ATMs to Steal Millions
New state legislation aims to protect older adults from this growing method of fraud
www.aarp.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Criminals increasingly use #cryptocurrency ATMs to steal money from people. AARP is fighting back - passing laws in states across the country (and just yesterday in Maryland!) to put some commonsense protections in place to protect you from #fraud.
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...
www.aarp.org/politics-soc...