AARP, a lobby representing nearly 38 million seniors, is pushing for Republicans in Congress to "honor the deal" and protect Medicare benefits for seniors with a comprehensive ad campaign launched Monday.
The television and digital ads assure viewers, "You've earned your Medicare. It was a deal that was made long ago, and AARP believes it should be honored. Thankfully, President Trump does too…Now it's Congress' turn."
In addition to the ads, AARP representatives plan to meet with members of Congress from all 50 states to discuss Medicare. AARP is lobbying against proposals to "voucherize" or partially privatize Medicare, which have been supported by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., the nominee for secretary of HHS.
"The average senior, with an annual income of under $25,000 and already spending one out of every six dollars on healthcare, counts on Social Security for the majority of their income and on Medicare for access to affordable health coverage," AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins wrote in a letter to Congress. "We will continue to oppose changes to current law that cut benefits, increase costs, or reduce the ability of these critical programs to deliver on their benefit promises. We urge you to continue to do so as well."
Watch the AARP ad here.
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