Wednesday, May 04, 2011

For some reason I'm on Barry Jackson's AARP e-mail list. Here's his latest. (No clue why it's addressed to George.)

Dear George,

We need 75,000 activists to stand up for Medicare and Social Security.

Tell Congress: Don't harm Medicare and Social Security.

The message is simple: Don't harm Medicare or Social Security. Right now, Congress is considering making a deal to pay the nation's bills (or in Washington-speak, raise the debt ceiling) that could include reduced Medicare benefits and millions left without secure healthcare.

Congress needs to understand that Medicare protects real people. It is not simply numbers on a balance sheet – and they need to hear that people like you are against drastic cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

We need 75,000 activists to send a strong message to Congress by May 13th. Will you join me and speak up today? Tell Congress to stop harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

Congress should not address the federal deficit by breaking the promise of secure healthcare that seniors have earned through years of hard work. But right now Congress is considering budget deals that could:

Re-open the Medicare "doughnut hole" and raise seniors' drug costs.

Eliminate Medicare as we know it for future retirees by turning Medicare into a voucher-like system that would double healthcare costs for seniors.

Place arbitrary limits on Medicare spending that could increase your costs and limit your access to care.

George, there's a lot at stake in the weeks to come. Congress must understand that Medicare is more than just a line in the budget – it provides health security that millions of Americans depend on each year.

Don't let Congress put the health of older Americans at risk. Now is the time to make sure your member of Congress knows where you stand in this fight.

Click here to tell your members of Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts.

Thank you for standing with us to protect Medicare and Social Security.

Sincerely,

Barry Jackson
Senior Manager, Grassroots

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