AARP Launches New Television Ad Calling on Washington to Protect Medicare and Social Security from Benefit Cuts

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Sep 21, 2011, 01:58 ET

AARP Pennsylvania Leaders Invite "Supercommittee" Member U.S. Senator Pat Toomey to Participate in Tele-Town Halls

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP launched a new national television ad today, reinforcing the organization's commitment to fighting cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits as part of any "supercommittee" deal. The national ad is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to convince members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("supercommittee"), including Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, to take Medicare and Social Security benefits off of the table for deficit reduction.

"Our members and average Americans, like those featured in this ad, have worked hard over their lifetimes and depend on the Medicare and Social Security benefits they have earned for their health and retirement security," said AARP Pennsylvania Interim State Director Greg Tanner. "Seniors, who have average incomes of under $20,000, want their elected leaders to cut waste and tax loopholes, not their hard-earned benefits."

Older Pennsylvanians rely heavily on Medicare and Social Security benefits. The state includes more than 2.2 million Medicare recipients, and Social Security provides more than half the household income for 55% of Pennsylvania's 2.5 million beneficiaries.

AARP will air the television spot nationally beginning September 21 on NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and FOX News. The television ad script follows:

"My grocery bill isn't wasteful spending.

"My heart medication isn't some political game.

"…Our retirement isn't a simple budget line item.

"I worked hard.

"I paid into my Medicare…

"…And I earned my Social Security…

"Now, instead of cutting waste and loopholes, Washington wants to cut our benefits?

"That wasn't the agreement.

"Join the members of AARP and tell Washington: Stop cuts to our Medicare and Social Security benefits."

In addition, AARP Pennsylvania today invited Senator Toomey to participate in tele-town halls to listen first-hand to AARP members and older Americans discuss the important role that Medicare and Social Security benefits play in their lives and for their families. Recently, AARP members have participated in over 100 tele-town hall meetings hosted by AARP with U.S. Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle.

Excerpts of the letter to Senator Toomey are below:

"The tele-town hall will provide you with the opportunity to hear first-hand what Medicare and Social Security mean to your constituents and their families, and give you a chance to share with them what you hope to accomplish through the supercommittee.

"AARP is committed to giving our members opportunities to hear from lawmakers who represent them in Washington and ensuring they have a seat at the table when the issues they care about are discussed. Seniors and middle class Americans have worked their whole lives for and depend on their Social Security and Medicare benefits. Our members are hopeful they can have a conversation with you about responsible ways to reduce the deficit without unfairly impacting their hard-earned benefits."

The new television ad and tele-town halls are part of an ongoing campaign to protect Medicare and Social Security from benefit cuts as part of any "supercommittee" deal. To watch the new television ad, see who has joined AARP across the nation and put their names on the map to stop cuts to benefits, and learn more about our campaign, visit www.aarp.org/protectseniors.

AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership 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 nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, 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.

CONTACT: Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania