FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2011
CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org
AARP Opposes Medicare Premium Increases Based on Income
WASHINGTON—AARP spokesperson Jim Dau released this statement following recent news reports on income-related Medicare premium increases under the health care law and possible future increases:
“AARP did not support making people in Medicare pay higher premiums based on their income. Seniors in Medicare have already paid into the system through payroll taxes—and those with higher incomes paid more over their lifetimes. In many cases, seniors with higher incomes are still working and paying Medicare taxes—often because they don’t have the savings they need to retire. Expecting them to pay more in premiums even as they continue to work and pay taxes penalizes those who wish to work longer.
“Simply shifting the cost burden to seniors does nothing to address the underlying problem of skyrocketing health care costs. Moreover, AARP is deeply concerned that those with higher-incomes may simply choose not to participate in the Medicare program if asked to pay too much. This kind of risk selection could fundamentally change the nature and quality of the Medicare program.
“AARP will continue to fight to minimize the impact of income-related Medicare premiums, particularly for seniors who are penalized just because they choose to continue working.”
For more information, please visit www.aarp.org.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership 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 nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, 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.
