Aarp Launches New TV Ad Calling on Congress to Protect Medicare and Social Security From Harmful Cuts

Organization Urges Congress to Cut Wasteful Spending and Close Tax Loopholes, Not Reduce Pennsylvanians Earned Benefits

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, AARP launched a new television ad campaign to urge Congress not to make any deal to pay the nation's bills that would result in harmful cuts to critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

The new, multi-million dollar advertising will air nationally and in local markets. In addition to the TV ad, AARP is engaging its millions of members to make their voices heard through direct mail, phone calls, email alerts, publications, and tele-townhall meetings.

"While some members of Congress are considering making changes to Medicare's structure, what few people realize is that some proposals being discussed behind closed doors include harmful cuts to the critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that are lifelines for today's seniors in Pennsylvania," said Dick Chevrefils, AARP Pennsylvania State Director. "Instead of harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security, Congress should cut wasteful spending, close tax loopholes and work to rein in costs throughout the health care system."

AARP will air the television spot beginning June 16.  The television ad script follows here:

"If Congress really wants to balance the budget ... they could stop spending our money on things like ... a cotton institute in Brazil ... poetry at zoos ... treadmills for shrimp ...

"But instead of cutting waste ... Or closing tax loopholes ... Next month, Congress could make a deal that cuts Medicare ... even Social Security.  I guess it's easier to cut the benefits we earned ... than to cut pickle technology.

"Protect Medicare and Social Security. Join our fight. AARP.org/ProtectSeniors"

To date, nearly 1.5 million individuals have already signed a petition to Congress and more than 4,000 calls and emails have gone into Pennsylvania's congressional offices over the past several weeks urging Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

Chevrefils added: "This campaign, along with our new ad will put Congress on notice that AARP will fight with the strength of our millions of members to prevent harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security from being included in any deal to pay the nation's bills.  Congress needs to reduce our nation's debt, but harmful cuts or across-the-board spending limits will hurt today's seniors in Pennsylvania and do little to reduce health care costs over the long-term."

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

About AARP

AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. 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.

Contact:  Steve Gardner
(717) 237-6481 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania