To: luridtransom
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 4:16 PM
Subject: Re: Your retirement isn't a budget line item
Dear luridtransom:
Thank you for contacting AARP about our advocacy on Social Security and Medicare. I appreciate your taking the time to get in touch with us, and welcome the opportunity to respond.
Throughout the past several months, AARP has been focused on preventing cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits for the millions of beneficiaries who have paid into the systems over their working lives. We are relieved that Congress has acted on a bipartisan agreement to address the debt ceiling and prevent default to ensure that seniors will continue to receive their Social Security checks and have access to health care. We are also gratified that after hearing from millions of AARP members, the President and Congress did not cut Social Security, Medicare and long-term care in the first round of deficit reduction.
Going forward, we are pleased that Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits are protected if the so-called "supercommittee" fails to reach an agreement later this fall, but we will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the health and retirement security of seniors and future retirees. We are concerned that a fast-track committee process will deny Americans a voice in the discussion about critical tax, health and retirement issues. We are also concerned about the potential use of a trigger that would arbitrarily cut provider payments under Medicare, which could unfairly shift costs to seniors.
As the deficit debate continues, AARP will continue to impress upon Congress the need to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts. We will continue to raise the voices of millions of Americans who rely on their Social Security and Medicare benefits and oppose benefit cuts for deficit reduction. Americans want a broader conversation around health and economic security, not one focused solely on deficit reduction.
AARP believes that the American public deserves a seat at the table in any forum, including the newly created super committee, which discusses potential changes to these critical programs. We believe that our nation's leaders should work together to strengthen health and retirement security for current and future generations.
AARP was founded more than 50 years ago to ensure that older Americans have affordable health care and financial security in retirement. While much has changed since those early years, our commitments have not. For more information, or to get involved, visit www.aarp.org/protectseniors.
Thank you again for writing. We always welcome your input. Please feel free to continue sharing your comments and questions.
Sincerely,
Darlene
Member Communications
Member@aarp.org
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