You've Earned a Say Goes to Washington

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Jun 20, 2012, 12:27 ET

Pennsylvania AARP leaders visit Capitol Hill to continue conversation about the future of Social Security and Medicare

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since March, You've Earned a Say has been taking the conversation about Social Security and Medicare out from behind closed doors in Washington and working to make sure Pennsylvanians have a say in the debate about how to strengthen these programs for future generations.

Today, AARP leaders from Pennsylvania visited Capitol Hill to bring the voices of Pennsylvanians to our members of Congress. AARP State President Jim Palmquist and State Director Ivonne Bucher were scheduled to meet with Pennsylvania U.S. Representatives Dent, Schwartz, Gerlach and Murphy, and U.S. Senators Casey and Toomey.

"Older Pennsylvanians have been telling us that they are frustrated Washington isn't listening to them when it comes to Medicare and Social Security," said Palmquist. "They're making their voices heard online and at community meetings and events across the state, and today we're bringing their messages to Washington, DC."

In their Congressional visits, Palmquist and Bucher will share the results of the first round of You've Earned a Say questionnaires. While not scientific, the responses reflect both an understanding that securing the future of Medicare and Social Security may require some combination of more funding or benefit changes, and an overwhelming desire to be involved in the debate about how best to strengthen the programs.

"Medicare and Social Security provide the foundation of retirement security for millions of Pennsylvanians today, and will be equally important to future generations," concluded Palmquist. "They have spent their lives paying into these programs and deserve to have a voice in the discussion about how best to strengthen them."

Follow today's action live on Facebook at AARPPA and on Twitter at AARPPA.

About AARP
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, our bilingual multimedia platform for Hispanic members; 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]
or
Angela Foreshaw, AARP PA
(267) 825-9922 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania