AARP Praises Senator Schumer for Supporting Proposal to Crack Down on Health Care Fraud

Industries across the world have used information technology to rapidly communicate information, streamline operations, create best practices, reduce costs and improve consumer satisfaction. It's time for health care, one of the largest and fastest growing U.S. industries, to do the same.

Judges make decisions that affect our everyday lives, to uphold the constitution and protect our rights.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               

 CONTACT:    Luci de Haan 212.407.3718/ldehaan@aarp.org

AARP MEMBERS CAN ACCESS NEW GROCERY COUPON CENTER POWERED BY COUPONS.COM

• Assist individuals struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs and basic necessities;
• Provide job training and assistance to older Americans who need to work to make ends meet;
• Help lower-income taxpayers qualify for the right deductions and credits;
• Protect older Americans from consumer fraud and identity theft;
• Protect against age discrimination;
• Help seniors manage their finances so they can remain in their homes and retain their independence;
• Support grandparents raising grandchildren;
• Provide education and training to older women reentering the workforce to support their families; or
• Help improve the lives of all seniors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2009
CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org

AARP Announces Support for $250 Emergency Relief in 2010 For Older Americans

Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Immediately to Address Lack of Social Security COLA


Washington, DC –With an expected announcement of no Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2010, AARP CEO Barry Rand called on House and Senate leaders to provide $250 in emergency relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling in this economic climate. AARP will work with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to urge quick passage of legislation that will help combat rising health care and prescription drug costs that consume an increasing amount of seniors’ income each year.

Excerpts from Rand’s letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) follow:

“On behalf of our 40 million members nationwide, AARP would like to express our strong support for providing America's seniors with $250 in emergency relief as the appropriate legislative response to the projected lack of a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.”

“Seniors spend a disproportionate share of their income (about 30 percent on average) on health care costs, which continue to increase well above the rate of overall inflation. The combination of higher health care costs, including prescription drug prices, and a stagnant Social Security benefit is particularly troubling and will result in lower net Social Security payments to millions of America’s seniors in January 2010.”

“Many senior citizens have lost a significant portion of their retirement savings due to the recent downturn in the U.S. economy. Unlike younger Americans, however, retirees have less time to make up substantial stock market and 401(k) account losses. The decline in housing prices in many parts of the country may also cause severe difficulties for those seniors who need to tap the equity in their homes in order to fund their retirement.”

“We urge you to pass legislation as soon as possible to provide relief to millions of Americans who will not receive a COLA next year.”

A complete copy of AARP’s letter follows:


October 1, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable John Boehner
House Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-204 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
S-221 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
S-231 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510

On behalf of our 40 million members nationwide, AARP would like to express our strong support for providing America's seniors with $250 in emergency relief as the appropriate legislative response to the projected lack of a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010. We urge you to provide this relief to millions of older Americans who are struggling to make ends meet in these difficult economic times.

It is widely expected that the Social Security Trustees will announce this month that -- for the first time since automatic COLAs were provided in 1975 -- there will not be a Social Security COLA next year, due to unusually poor conditions in the U.S. economy over the past twelve months. Because of the sluggish economy, the prices of many goods and services have stagnated or declined. Unfortunately, many older Americans do not feel the effects of low inflation in their pocketbooks.

Seniors spend a disproportionate share of their income (about 30 percent on average) on health care costs, which continue to increase well above the rate of overall inflation. The combination of higher health care costs, including prescription drug prices, and a stagnant Social Security benefit is particularly troubling and will result in lower net Social Security payments to millions of America’s seniors in January 2010.

Moreover, like most Americans, many senior citizens have lost a significant portion of their retirement savings due to the recent downturn in the U.S. economy. Unlike younger Americans, however, retirees have less time to make up substantial stock market and 401(k) account losses. The decline in housing prices in many parts of the country may also cause severe difficulties for those seniors who need to tap the equity in their homes in order to fund their retirement.

We urge you to pass legislation as soon as possible to provide relief to millions of Americans who will not receive a COLA next year. Many of these individuals have suffered significant economic harm over the past year and a half and are depending on Congress to address this important matter. We look forward to working with you to enact this needed relief as soon as possible. If you have any further questions, feel free to call me, or please have your staff contact Cristina Martin Firvida at 202-434-6194.

Sincerely,

Addison Barry Rand


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.