Aarp Launches New TV Ad Calling On Congress To Protect Medicare And Social Security From Harmful Cuts

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Jun 16, 2011, 11:36 ET

Organization Urges Congress to Cut Wasteful Spending and Close Tax Loopholes, Not Reduce Illinoisans Earned Benefits

CHICAGO, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, AARP launched a new television ad campaign to urge Congress not to make any deal to pay the nation's bills that would result in harmful cuts to critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

The new, multi-million dollar advertising will air nationally and in local markets. In addition to the TV ad, AARP is engaging its millions of members to make their voices heard through direct mail, phone calls, email alerts, publications, and tele-townhall meetings.

"While some members of Congress are considering making changes to Medicare's structure, what few people realize is that some proposals being discussed behind closed doors include harmful cuts to the critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that are lifelines for today's seniors in Illinois," said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois State Director. "Instead of harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security, Congress should cut wasteful spending, close tax loopholes and work to rein in costs throughout the health care system."

AARP will air the television spot beginning June 16. The television ad script follows here:

"If Congress really wants to balance the budget…they could stop spending our money on things like… a cotton institute in Brazil…poetry at zoos…treadmills for shrimp…

"But instead of cutting waste….Or closing tax loopholes…Next month, Congress could make a deal that cuts Medicare… even Social Security. I guess it's easier to cut the benefits we earned …than to cut pickle technology.

"Protect Medicare and Social Security. Join our fight. AARP.org/ProtectSeniors"

To date, nearly 1.5 million individuals have already signed a petition to Congress and 2,175 calls and 7,051 emails have gone into Illinois congressional offices over the past several weeks urging Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

Gallo added: "This campaign, along with our new ad will put Congress on notice that AARP will fight with the strength of our millions of members to prevent harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security from being included in any deal to pay the nation's bills. Congress needs to reduce our nation's debt, but harmful cuts or across-the-board spending limits will hurt today's seniors in Illinois and do little to reduce health care costs over the long-term."

To view the new television ad and learn about AARP's campaign, visit www.aarp.org/protectseniors.

SOURCE AARP Illinois