CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. Chris Sununu is giving Medicaid-funded long-term care workers at nursing homes and in home care a $300 weekly pay boost during the COVID-19 crisis - reportedly the first stipend of its kind in the country.

Sununu is also increasing testing for the more than six thousand workers at long-term care facilities in Rockingham and Hillsborough counties, areas with the most outbreaks. It's all in response to staffing shortages and an immediate need, since about half the state's 30-plus deaths from COVID-19 have been in long-term care facilities.

But Susan Buxton, the New Hampshire State Long-term Care Ombudsman, notes that overall, the Granite State is preventing the new coronavirus from spreading.

"We've been fortunate that, as a state, we have taken bold action early," says Buxton. "We had that opportunity and we took it. We're not hearing of widespread infections."

She says she's also not hearing of outbreaks at the majority of nursing homes.

New Hampshire health officials also claim the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 has been stable for the past week or so, which might indicate an early peak for the virus in New Hampshire.

AARP had urged the governor to provide more support to long-term care workers and is pleased with the announcement.

For people with loved ones in long-term care, Doug McNutt - advocacy director with AARP New Hampshire - recommends asking the staff a number of questions. He includes how they plan to keep family members connected virtually, and how they intend to communicate important information on a regular basis.

"Is the nursing home currently at full staffing levels for nurses' aides and other workers?" asks McNutt. "What is the plan to meet the needs of the nursing home residents for bathing, feeding, medication management and things of that nature if there are staffing shortages? And we know that there are issues."

AARP also suggests asking about nursing homes' levels of personal protective equipment and their plans to prevent further infections.

As parts of Southern California suffer with triple-digit temperatures, state lawmakers are set to vote today on two bills to study and mitigate heat waves.

Assembly Bill 2238 would create a heat-ranking system like we already have for tornadoes and hurricanes. David Azevedo, associate director of AARP California, said heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the country.

"Older people are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses due to weakened cardiovascular systems, pre-existing health conditions," said Azevedo, "and the fact that many prescription medications used by older people impact temperature regulation and hydration."

California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment, in 2018, predicted that excess deaths due to extreme heat could hit 4,300 per year by 2025, and 11,000 in 2050 if trends continue.

Azevedo said a second bill - Assembly Bill 2076 - would fund projects to increase tree canopies, build shaded bus shelters, install so-called "cool pavement" and retrofit buildings to make them more heat-resistant.

"AB 2076 would also create an extreme heat and health reporting system," said Azevedo, "which will receive and analyze data from local health departments, clinics and hospitals to better identify where extreme heat is most negatively harming communities."

The bill also would create the country's first "chief heat officer." The two bills are in the committee's "suspense file," which means they could get an up-or-down vote without a hearing.

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill which could dramatically reduce prescription drug prices for older Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes investments of nearly $370 billion in programs to reduce the effects of climate change, as well as changes aimed at capping prescription drug costs.

Provisions in the bill would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies and cap insulin copays at $35 a month for people with Medicare Part D.

Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington, said there are other important parts of the bill as well.

"It caps out-of-pocket prescription drug prices on Medicare Part D to $2,000 each year," MacCaul explained. "Which is going to be a huge financial relief to a lot of older Americans who pay so much more than that for their prescription drugs."

MacCaul pointed out it would also hold drug companies accountable if they raise prices faster than the rate of inflation. Republicans have condemned the bill, warning despite its name, the legislation could exacerbate the country's economic woes. The measure now heads to the U.S. House for a vote.

MacCaul noted prescription costs have been a persistent issue for older Washingtonians. She recalled one AARP member she spoke with, named John, pays $500 a month for his heart medication.

"That's $6,000 a year," MacCaul stressed. "$6,000 a year that he is paying, just so his heart is healthy enough to help him continue to live. That's outrageous."

MacCaul believes there is a lot to celebrate in the Inflation Reduction Act, adding Medicare has been unable to negotiate drug prices for two decades.

"Congress is really on the verge of finally bringing prescription drug price relief to seniors, and really, that cannot be underemphasized," MacCaul stated. "This is a historic moment."

A new report suggested changing how we talk about victims of financial fraud could lead to a shift in how Wyoming and the nation respond to this growing sector of criminal activity.

Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network, which teamed up with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation on the study, said most people who experience fraud already are beating themselves up. She argued using language assigning blame to the victim is counterproductive.

"Instead of using words like 'duped' or 'fell for it,' we need to put the blame on the criminal," Nofziger urged. "Money was stolen from that person. They were a victim of this crime."

The Federal Trade Commission estimates the cost of financial fraud reached nearly $6 billion in 2021.

Nofziger pointed out the real cost is likely much higher because many victims are too ashamed to come forward. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud should contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.

Nofziger recommended media outlets, law enforcement, banks and others should avoid language subtly blaming victims, because it downplays the severity of the crime and makes it harder to invest in solutions. She emphasized assigning blame to the perpetrators of fraud will help agencies better understand the actual scope of the problem.

"We don't have the actual count of victims coming forward, and the actual count of money being lost," Nofziger noted. "By changing the language, it does make for victims to come forward in a more comfortable and well-received environment."

While 85% of Americans believe fraud can happen to anyone, 53% of those surveyed identified victims as culpable and blameworthy. Nofziger stressed changing the financial fraud narrative can help more law enforcement officials understand fraud is a crime which should be investigated, instead of a civil matter where someone willingly hands over their money.

"We should be able to coordinate these efforts," Nofziger asserted. "Working with the victims on these cases, working with law enforcement, working with the banks, working with the transfer companies, working with the telecom companies to get victims whole."