AARP Commends Senate for Voting to Close Medicare 'Doughnut Hole,' Make Insurance More Affordable

NEW YORK, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Senate today passed a package of health care reforms that will bring needed relief to millions of older Americans struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs and health coverage.  By passing the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, Senators voted to completely close Medicare's dreaded prescription drug coverage gap for everyone in the program and make insurance more affordable for more American families.

AARP sent a letter to each Senate office informing them that the Association designated today's vote on the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 as an "AARP Key Vote."  AARP will report back to its members and the public how each Senator votes on this legislation.

** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance, which should also include such things as constituency services and committee work.

"AARP applauds Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for voting to close the Medicare doughnut hole and ensure that no seniors in Medicare ever have to choose between their medication and their next meal," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director.  "The package passed today will also make health insurance more affordable for millions of families struggling with the high cost of coverage."

AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members and all Americans. "AARP members want to know how their elected officials vote on these important issues.  We will continue to track these and other issues of importance to ensure our members and all Americans know where their Members of Congress stand," Aronstein concluded.

AARP members and all older Americans can see how their Members of Congress voted on health care reform by going to www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.  AARP's Government Watch is a one-stop online portal that will be tracking and publicizing every designated key vote on issues facing Americans age 50-plus.  A "Key Vote Summary" highlighting votes on these issues will be published at the end of each congressional session.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization 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 over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; 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.

SOURCE AARP New York