Page 8 THE DAILY HERALD, Seniors, Thursday, September 23, 1999 AARP fighting for security of Utah's By CANDACE PERRY The Daily Herald PROVO The watchdogs and lobbyists for senior citizens are looking out for their security. With 150,000 Utah members and 63 million-stronnationwide, the American Association of Retired Persons provides a voice for those often left helpless. Social Security is the focus of the AARP lobbying, as it provides the foundation for most elderly income. Unfortunately, it is often the target of reform and cutbacks, as 15 percent of every employee's paycheck goes into the fund, with the employer matching the amount, said Karl Swan, AARPVOTE state coordinator. But one in seven people over 65 count solely on Social Security checks to pay their expenses, making each increase and decrease a factor, he said. "It's a startling percentage of a lot of people's income," Swan said. "Social Security is a real, real help to hundreds of thousands of American g non-partisa- n AMP VOTE families. We want to see it continued and strengthened." THAT'S WHERE Swan comes in. His job is to meet with federal, state and local politicians about keeping elderly interests and needs in mind. "We write letters, send faxes, make phone calls get the AARP position to the national people," he said. And 20 years experience as a Utah state senator has given him notoriety and many a listening ear in Washington D.C., said Clark Bigler, 3rd Congressional District coordinator. The second most crucial issue for AARP is care, such as people in nursing homes and in need of long-ter- medical aid. "Medicare is a terrible challenge," Swan said. "Costs escalated 10 MEDICAL PROVIDERS attribute the increasing costs of health care to sophis ticated equipment, the need fof additional tests and the high cost of prescription drugs as well as not being properly compensated for their services, Swan said. "We look for waste, fraud and abuse," he said. "The medical profession has to be fairly watched with checks and balances," The AARP is also concerned with suggestions to increase the qualifying age for Medicare from. 65 to 67. Much of the reform AARP seeks is being stalled by politicians wanting to wait until a new administration is elected. "Our organization is foursquare behind doing somenot waitthing right now ing until the new president gets in," Swan said. For more information, contact Donalda De Adder, President of the Utah County AARP Chapter at percent last year." 225-383- senior citizens AARP's Karl G. Swan in tune with Utah's seniors By CANDACE PERRY The Daily Herald PROVO Aging only adds more credibility to this seasoned politician. Tooele's Karl G. Swan is the VOTE state coordinator for The American Association of Retired Persons. He is also one of the 14 national representatives chosen to testify before U.S. Congress on behalf of the AARP, if needed. And with 20 years experience as a state senator, entering the senior citizen age bracket only gave him more notoriety with his colleagues. His job is to lobby Utah's federal politicians to keep elderly interests a priority, from Social Security to Medicare. "We write letters, send faxes, make phone calls get the AARP position to the national people," Swan said. But his beginnings were of a different sort, working in a small Tooele grocery store in his younger years. An accomplished trumpet and piano player, he later trained as a music educator at the University of Utah. After graduation, he settled down to teach vocal music and band at Grantsville High School and later Tooele High School. He served a mission to Germany during and then returned to his teaching job in 1957 and never left until his retirement in 1955-195- 1991. He became involved with the local Teacher's Association as president, worked in the state offices for the Utah Education Association and became a senator by their request. "They were looking for someone favorable to education to run for legislator," Swan said. "They picked me." The school even found a substitute for bis music classes two months each year while he served in the Legislature. But even after retirement, Swan continues to serve on behalf of his fellow peers which is more than his music to their ears. THP r:HT (toflwuo' (thini o.B We if ,L mm invite you to visit HERITAGE CARE CENTER 350 East 300 Making a major change can be challenging for anyone, especially seniors. That's why it's so satisfying to offer adult children and their parents hope and a beautiful solution.. .a care center designed and dedicated to provide courteous service and hospitality along with the pledge to provide only the highest quality of care. North American Fork, Utah 756-529- At Heritage we realize it takes an acknowledgement of the sacredness of life to care for the elderly. 3 6