AARP: Don't Make Harmful Cuts to Idahoans' Social Security & Medicare to Get Deal on Debt Ceiling

Organization launches campaign to preserve health and retirement security of older Idahoans

BOISE, Idaho, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the national debate heating up on raising the debt ceiling, AARP announced a new campaign today to fight against proposals with arbitrary limits, caps or triggers that would result in harmful cuts to critical Social Security and Medicare benefits that millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.  

There are nearly 270,000 Social Security beneficiaries and 259,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Idaho.

The campaign, which includes a multi-million dollar national advertising schedule, local grassroots and online activities, will engage AARP members and the public around the potential impact that such proposals could have on current and future generations, and encourage them to contact their members of Congress to oppose harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare.  

"Older Idahoans care deeply about the nation's fiscal health, but making political deals that cut their hard earned benefits is the wrong way to address these challenges," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "Imposing arbitrary, across-the-board spending cuts will not only reduce benefits for today's seniors and tomorrow's retirees, but also add to the financial burden that Americans are already shouldering for their health and financial security."  

Beginning Wednesday, the campaign will air a national television spot.  The television ad script follows here:

"You've worked hard your entire life.  Paid your dues. Raised a family. You've earned a little peace of mind.  Now, some in Congress want to make harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Cutting your benefits so Washington can pay its bills.

"AARP believes the country can do better.  We can cut wasteful spending without cutting the benefits you've earned. Join us.  Tell Congress to stop the harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security."

Wordelman added: "AARP knows that this discussion around the nation's finances cannot be simply reduced to a budget exercise—this is about real people. Congress must balance addressing the nation's long-term debt while preserving the health and economic security that Social Security and Medicare provide so that older Idahoans can pay their bills, see their doctors and not worry about finding affordable health care."

To view the new television ad and learn about AARP's campaign, visit www.aarp.org/protectseniors.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with 180,000 members.

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SOURCE AARP Idaho