AARP campaigns to protect Medicare

AARP has launched a comprehensive campaign to protect Medicare in the face of proposals by some in Congress that would hurt hardworking Americans who have paid in to the program, their entire lives.

Television and digital ads feature President Trump in a video clip saying, "I am going to protect and save your Social Security and your Medicare. You made a deal a long time ago."

The advertising debuts ahead of President Trump's announcement address to a joint session of Congress at the end of February. Americans can find information about the importance of Medicare, see the new ad, and stay up to date on AARP's new campaign at aarp.org/ProtectMedicare.

Over the next few weeks, AARP staff and volunteers in all 50 states expect to meet with members of Congress to underscore the importance of Medicare to the 57 million beneficiaries and the millions of workers who now pay in on the promise of benefits later. The nationwide campaign specifically counters proposals that would increase costs and risks for seniors, and 'voucher-ize' Medicare.

In a recent letter to Congress, AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said: "The average senior, with an annual income of under $25,000 and already spending one out of every six dollars on health care, counts on Social Security for the majority of their income and on Medicare for access to affordable health coverage. We will continue to oppose changes to current law that cut benefits, increase costs, or reduce the ability of these critical programs to deliver on their benefit promises. We urge you to continue to do so as well."

AARP's Public Policy Institute also has put out new, detailed national and state analyses about Medicare vouchers, including Premium Support and the Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries. The report notes that "premium support could force people with fewer financial resources to leave traditional Medicare and enroll in less-expensive plans, with more limited benefits and restrictive provider networks."