AARP Volunteers from Every State Visit Capitol Hill to Urge Separate Social Security Debate, Press for Responsible Solutions to Strengthen Medicare

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP volunteers and staff from every state visited Capitol Hill today to express opposition to the President's proposed Social Security benefit cut known as Chained CPI and to support responsible solutions to strengthen Medicare.  Meeting with Senators, Members of Congress and their staff, AARP volunteers urged their representatives to have a separate debate on Social Security and to back specific proposals that would strengthen Medicare and the health care system overall.

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"We've heard from 6.5 million people who want Washington to listen to them when it comes to Medicare and Social Security," said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. "They've made their voices heard online, at community meetings and events all over the country, and today they've brought their message to Washington with the hope that they can go home and tell the people who live in their states that Congress will strengthen these lifeline programs."

In addition to pushing for a broader retirement security debate on Social Security that is separate from ongoing budget negotiations, AARP volunteers and staff discussed embracing health care reforms that eliminate waste and improve care in order to drive positive change throughout the entire health care system and bring down health care costs for everyone, including in Medicare. 

By taking action on items that include reducing waste and inefficiency, improving care coordination, and reforming Medicare's payment incentives to doctors and hospitals for providing good care, Medicare can remain strong into the future.

AARP volunteers and staff will continue to oppose harmful cuts and push for responsible change to strengthen Medicare and Social Security when they return home from Washington. For more on specific Medicare solutions AARP supports visit our Medicare solutions fact sheet.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Espanol, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP