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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2009
 

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.”