AARP Applauds Bill To Help Seniors Struggling In Tough Economy
Measure halts 2010 Medicare Part B premium increases
Jackson—AARP Mississippi State President Bruce W. Brice, Sr. today applauded passage of the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” (H.R. 3631) by the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation is designed to protect seniors and people with disabilities from 2010 increases in premiums for Medicare Part B, which provides physician visits for seniors.
The House voted 406 to 18 Thursday to eliminate the monthly premium increases for millions of Medicare patients next year. The vote sent the bill to the Senate, which is expected to act soon.
“AARP Mississippi is pleased that each of our members of Congress voted to pass the Medicare Premium Fairness Act,” said Brice of Natchez. “As health care costs continue to soar despite lower inflation throughout the economy, older Americans are hit particularly hard. This bill will help older Mississippians keep more money in their pockets to pay for other expenses.”
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement when the legislation was introduced earlier this week:
“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.”
Brice added, “We encourage our Senators to support the measure, as well.”
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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.
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Added: Sep 25, 2009
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