FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 15, 2013
CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations
@AARPmedia
202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP: Senate Budget Proposal Protects Retirement Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond today released the following statement in reaction to Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray’s (D-WA) recently announced budget proposal:
“Older Americans today have little confidence in their prospects for health and financial security in retirement. They care deeply about improving the economy and they want to see a better future for their kids and grandkids. As AARP fights for responsible solutions to strengthen retirement security, we applaud Chairwoman Patty Murray’s proposed budget for protecting Medicare and Medicaid benefits and making no cuts to Social Security.
“In protecting the integrity of the Medicare program and the benefits that older Americans rely on, Murray's budget reinforces the critical importance of Medicare to today’s seniors and future generations. Further, by allowing for continued implementation of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, this budget builds on the steps we’ve already taken to improve access to affordable health care, protect against discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity or medical history, and achieve important savings by reducing waste and making improvements in health care delivery.
“We are also pleased to see that this budget protects Social Security against unfair and unwarranted proposals to cut benefits by adopting the so-called ‘chained CPI.’ Social Security is a self-financed program that didn’t cause the deficit, and as with previous budget efforts, it shouldn’t be cut to fix problems in the rest of the budget.
“AARP believes that as Members of Congress consider ways to address our nation’s financial challenges, the impact on real people should not be forgotten. A budget that protects the pillars of retirement security strengthens the future for today’s seniors and their kids and grandkids.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
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