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Health Care, Financial Security and Consumer Protection Top AARP’s 2008 Advocacy Agenda
News Release
February 21, 2008
AARP today introduced its top legislative priorities for 2008. Representing more than 39 million Americans, the advocacy organization will work with national and state leaders to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care and prescription drugs, lifetime financial security and stronger consumer protections.
“We look forward to continuing our work with lawmakers across the country to seek solutions that will protect the pocketbook of every American, reform our broken health care system, and ensure that older Americans have access to appropriate and affordable housing options,” said AARP Director of Government Relations and Advocacy David Sloane. “Working in a bipartisan fashion, we will strive to end gridlock on the tough issues facing America.”
Sloane noted that AARP is part of the Divided We Fail coalition, a national effort designed to engage the American public and elected officials in finding bipartisan solutions to ensure affordable quality health care and long-term financial security for everyone.
Highlights from AARP’s advocacy agenda include seeking solutions that will modernize and improve health care and contain costs, such as through health IT (including e-prescribing) and greater reliance on evidence-based medicine.
AARP will work to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, expand health coverage for children (SCHIP) and people age 50-64 and make prescription drugs more affordable. On the financial front, AARP will focus on establishing programs in the workplace that help Americans save for retirement, including automatic enrollment in IRA and 401(K) plans and greater use of payroll deduction through the work place. AARP will seek broader protections for consumers from financial fraud and abuse and improved transportation and housing options for older Americans. AARP will work to protect funding for federal housing programs and promote more affordable reverse mortgages. The organization will also advocate for better utility regulations and more affordable energy.
“Our members expect us to look out for their best interests, and we intend to do just that,” Sloane said. “We are their voice in Washington, DC, and in their state capitals.”
For the complete AARP advocacy agenda visit: http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/articles/aboutaarp/AARP2008AdvocacyAgenda.pdf
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 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 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.