AARP members will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday, hoping to deter Congressional leaders from making cuts to Medicare and Social Security.
"We want to send a clear message that Social Security and Medicare cuts must be off the table as part of any deal by the supercommittee," said David Mitchell, AARP Arizona State Director. "Seniors have spent their lives working for their Medicare and Social Security benefits and they should not be just another line-item in the budget. Congress instead should be looking at closing tax loopholes and cutting waste as ways to cut our federal budget."
The supercommittee is deadlocked on salvaging at least $1.2 trillion in savings from the federal deficit over the 10 years. According to the Associated Press, part of the impasse stems from disagreement on cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
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The AARP took heat this summer for a flip-flop on Social Security protection by its policy chief John Rother, who reportedly said the orgnanization was dropping its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits. [See AARP slammed for not fighting Social Security cuts]
CEO A. Barry Rand later announced "any cuts to Social Security as part of a deal to pay the nation's bills" would be unacceptable.
AARP cites estimates that the average annual income of half of Americans 65 years and older is less than $18,500 per year.
In Arizona, 47 percent of people 65 and older rely on Social Security for 50 percent or more of their family income, while 141,000 Arizonans rely on their Social Security check for 90 percent or more of their family income.
In addition, Medicare beneficiaries nationwide already pay about $3000 in out of pocket costs per year for medical expenses.
"We're urging people to join our AARP lobby day on Wednesday by placing a telephone call using our AARP toll free number. The message is simple. Tell your representative don't cut my Social Security or Medicare," added Mitchell.
The AARP toll free number to call on October 12 is (888) 722-8514.
"Now is the time to contact your member of Congress. The stakes couldn't be higher." Mitchell added
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