AARP Applauds New Bill to Help Seniors Struggling in Tough Economy
Source: AARP Press Center
AARP Applauds New Bill to Help Seniors Struggling in Tough Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2009
Contact
AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org
AARP Applauds New Bill to Help Seniors Struggling in Tough Economy
WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued this statement applauding the introduction of the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” (H.R. 3631):
“As health care costs continue to soar despite lower inflation throughout the economy, older Americans are hit particularly hard. Retirees have seen their savings wiped away by market losses while their health care bills continue to climb. People in Medicare today spend nearly a third of their income on health care. The lack of a cost-of-living update in Social Security means that millions more in Medicare could see their health care costs rise further out of reach.
“AARP applauds Chairman Rangel, Chairman Stark, Rep. Titus, Chairman Waxman, Chairman Emeritus Dingell and Chairman Pallone for introducing this important legislation. By holding Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year—premiums that have doubled since 2000—their bill would help ensure that health care is more affordable for people in Medicare—without burdening taxpayers or future generations with new spending.
“We urge every House member who worries about the health and economic security of their constituents in Medicare to support this legislation when it reaches the floor tomorrow.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
