Four Cities Targeted for You’ve Earned a Say Conversations

AARP members and the public gathered at four movie theatres in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City and Springfield to participate in the You’ve Earned a Say events that allowed them to make their voices heard about strengthening Medicare and Social Security.

You’ve Earned a Say is a national conversation to take the debate about the future of Medicare and Social Security out from behind closed doors in Washington into the public. AARP volunteers and staff welcomed participants at the Cape West 14 Ciné in Cape Girardeau, Ragtag Theater in Columbia, Glenwood Theater at Red Bridge Theatre in Kansas City, and Palace Theaters in Springfield.

From 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., individuals voiced concerns, ideas, suggestions, and comments about the future of Medicare and Social Security. In some locations, participants engaged in an interactive exercise utilizing remote hand-held keypads. The audiences were able to respond to a series of questions about both programs. Attendees at all locations completed a paper questionnaire about their views regarding Social Security and Medicare that will be shared with lawmakers and candidates.

“Americans have paid into Medicare and Social Security and deserve the protections and guarantees they provide,” said Norma Collins, associate state director for Advocacy. “They have a right to speak up about how to strengthen those programs now and for future generations.”

Throughout the year, AARP Missouri will stage a series of events and activities including listening tours across the state. A tele-townhall meeting was held on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The statewide conversation allowed AARP members to hear the facts about Medicare and Social Security in non-partisan and no spin language. They engaged in a conversation to express their views and ideas about strengthening both programs for current beneficiaries and future generations.

AARP has produced four booklets about the Medicare and Social Security programs that are free and can be obtained by sending an email to aarpmo@aarp.org. When ordering, please include the “D” number to identify the publication you would like to receive:

• Medicare: Keeping it Strong (D19657)
  
• Medicare: Get the Facts (D19656)
  
• Medicare and Social Security: What’s at Stake (D19659)
  
• Social Security: Get the Facts (D19658)