AARP Idaho Serves Up Strong Message to Congress' "Supercommittee"

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With Congress' "supercommittee" facing a Thanksgiving Day deadline, this holiday season finds older Idahoans thinking about a lot more than just turkey, many are worried about proposed cuts to their Social Security and Medicare benefits.  Today, in Boise, with the state capitol as a backdrop, Gem State AARP members gathered to serve up a stern message to the committee: Don't cut my hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits. 

At the press conference, AARP members and leaders unraveled a 3,000 foot scroll of over 30,0000 signatures from concerned Idahoans, echoing the message.  The group also unveiled a giant "wish you were here" postcard to the "supercommittee," with a giant map of Idaho and all those who have expressed opposition to any cuts to the programs, reminding them of just what's at stake in Idaho and urging them to target waste, not seniors.  The signatures were then delivered to Idaho's Members of Congress' district offices in the Capitol region.   

"Hundreds of thousands of Idahoans are spending this holiday season in fear of cuts to their Social Security and Medicare benefits, which will increase their health care costs, threaten their access to doctors and reduce the benefit checks they rely on to pay the bills," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "Today, Idahoans are sending a clear message from the statehouse to the nation's capitol: Don't cut my hard-earned benefits to fix the deficit."

The event comes as AARP members are delivering more than 6.5 million petitions across the nation today urging members of Congress not to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits for deficit reduction.  AARP members and volunteers are delivering the petitions directly to members of Congress. The petitions are signed by individuals who oppose any budget deal that cuts the benefits they worked for as part of an ongoing effort to communicate the need to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from harmful cuts. 

"Time is running out on the supercommittee's deliberations, and AARP is taking every opportunity to make our members' voices heard," added Wordelman.  "Across the state thousands of Idahoans are calling on their Senators and Representatives to look beyond the numbers and protect people who've earned and need these benefits."

By the numbers, Social Security and Medicare in Idaho:

• In Idaho, 95.1% of older residents receive Social Security, with an average annual benefit of just $13,400, accounting for 62.5% of a typical older Idahoan's income. While 8.7% of the state's 65+ already live in poverty (prior to the new Census numbers), without Social Security, nearly 38% more of the state's elderly would join them.
• The average Idaho Medicare beneficiary already spends 19.3% of their income on out-of-pocket health care costs.  Some benefit cuts being considered by Congress would shift even more medical costs onto the backs of the 99.8% of elderly Idahoans who rely on Medicare, pushing medical bills higher and forcing more to choose between food and medicine.

The text of the letter sent to Senators and Representatives follows:

"As one of your constituents and as a member of AARP, I urge you to oppose any budget deal that cuts Social Security and Medicare benefits to reduce the federal deficit.  Instead of cutting the benefits I worked for, Congress should be cutting waste and closing tax loopholes.  I worked my entire life and paid into the system so I'd have a guaranteed source of income and health coverage when I retired.  Congress needs to make responsible decisions to reduce our nation's deficit, but they can do so without harming the health and economic security of seniors and future retirees."

For more information about the petition and to see many of the millions of people who signed petitions, please visit:  www.aarp.org/protectseniors. An interactive map tracking grassroots actions can also be accessed here: action.aarp.org/map.  

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership 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 nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, 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 Idaho