AARP Statement on 9/27 Debate

Post-Debate Statement From AARP Board Member Joyce Payne

"Tonight the candidates lost an opportunity to engage in a discussion about health and financial security, two issues that dominate people's day to day lives.

"These issues are especially important in the African American community, with one in four adults lacking health coverage and one-third concerned they will not be able to afford to retire.

"With just one question asked about health care, we call on the moderators to bring these issues up in the future and on the candidates to provide more information about how they will end the partisan fighting and move towards solutions that address the health and financial security challenges faced daily by all Americans. All the Republican candidates will have another opportunity to talk about these issues at AARP's upcoming candidate forum on October 25th in Sioux City, Iowa."

Divided We Fail and AARP are monitoring the number of health and financial security questions asked during the Presidential debates. For more information about Divided We Fail and the debate, log onto the Divided We Fail debate tracker at www.dividedwefail.org.

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, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, http://www.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.