New Census Poverty Figures Paint Bleak Picture for Idaho

Alarming New Data for West & Elderly Serve As Stern Reminder to Cong. Supercommittee: NO Cuts to Social Security & Medicare Benefits

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 8, 2011  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Idahoans living in poverty don't need a report to let them know it, but many, no doubt, hope Congress is paying keen attention to new Census data detailing their soaring numbers.  The new data, released earlier this week, includes measures absent in the official Census such as out-of-pocket medical costs and shows high poverty rates among the 65+ (15.9%) and those living in the West (19.4%).  

A significant increase over the official Census data, the new data finds the percent of 65+ living in poverty soared by nearly 7% with the new factors included, the highest spike among all age groups.  The West also suffered the largest regional increase in poverty (4%), with nearly 1 out of every 5 people in the West now estimated to be living in poverty.

The new Census data paints a particularly alarming picture in Idaho, which already boasted one of the highest poverty rates among 50+ homeowners in the region, even before the new data came into the equation.  AARP Idaho says the numbers should serve as a stark reminder to Congress and the "supercommittee" not to make cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits, warning that any cuts to these lifeline programs would make the picture far bleaker for many in the Gem State.

"As many older Idahoans are already struggling to make ends meet, some lawmakers are threatening lifeline programs that provide a boost to those in poverty or a safety net to those grasping at the middle class," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "This report sends one more clear message to Congress on the importance of not making cuts to Idahoans' hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits as part of a deal to reduce the deficit."

One proposal being considered would cut Social Security by $112 billion over a decade and cost beneficiaries thousands of dollars over their lifetime, leaving more Idahoans to needlessly face poverty.  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.

"With nearly 16 percent of our nation's elderly already living in poverty, our country cannot afford to slide further backward," added Wordelman.

AARP is urging all Idahoans to take action to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from cuts by visiting: www.aarp.org/protectseniors.

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