Government Watch helps AARP's 40 million members hold their federal elected officials accountable for the way they vote on the issues of greatest importance to Americans age 50+.

Government Watch is responding to AARP members' demands for more transparency from the U.S. government—their desire to know how their senators and representatives are voting on key issues and what the executive branch is doing to advance critical priorities.

80 Million Eyes Watching the House Vote on Health Care Reform

AARP members are counting on their Members of Congress to support H.R. 3962.
After carefully extensively studying the various legislative proposals, AARP's all-volunteer Board of Directors—made up of working and retired doctors, nurses, business people, and teachers—endorsed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3961) because it delivers on key priorities AARP has been fighting for, including:

• Protecting and strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees.
• Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare's payments to doctors. 
• Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" and allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
• Taking steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program.
• Requiring Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge for those who don't have coverage.
• Preventing insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health.
• Limiting how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket.
• Providing affordable health insurance options for those who don't have insurance or can't afford it.
• Providing benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.

To see our press announcement, click here.

80 Million Eyes Watching Health Reform

AARP Members Disappointed by Senate’s Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors:
AARP members were deeply disappointed that legislation to preserve seniors' access to their doctors was blocked in the U.S. Senate.  The Medicare Physicians Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have permanently repealed the system Medicare uses to pay doctors—a flawed system that if left in place will undermine seniors' ability to get the care they need to stay healthy.

AARP members can see if their Senators voted to protect seniors' access to choose their doctor and share their feedback by clicking here.  

AARP Calls for Emergency Relief for Older Americans

The Social Security Administration recently announced that, as a result of the weak economy, there will be no Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2010. So, instead of seeing an increase in their check next year, seniors’ benefits will be frozen. Since this announcement, AARP has heard from thousands of AARP members who were counting on their yearly increase to help pay for food, utilities and health care. AARP is working with members of Congress from both parties to find a solution to this problem that will bring seniors some financial relief and put money directly in their pockets.

AARP members can tell their members of Congress to act now to ensure seniors get the relief they deserve by clicking here

Lean about AARP’s proposal to provide seniors with $250 in emergency relief

AARP Key Votes

House and Senate Pass Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act: AARP applauds the Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of this Act. AARP members can see how their Senators and Representatives voted and share their feedback on this important legislation.

Read About the Legislation

House and Senate pass American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: AARP applauds the Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. AARP members can see how their Senators and Representatives voted and share their feedback on this important legislation.

AARP's Legislative Champions

Our new award honors members of Congress who promoted legislation to improve the lives of older Americans and their families.