AARP Statement on 2015 Medicare Trustees Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2015

CONTACT: Greg Phillips, 202-434-2560, gphillips@aarp.org, @AARPMedia

As Medicare celebrates 50^th anniversary, AARP urges responsible solutions to ensure affordable health care for future generations

WASHINGTON, DC— AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins offered the following statement in reaction to the 2015 Medicare Trustees report released today:

“The latest Medicare Trustees report demonstrates yet again the ongoing financial challenges facing Medicare, along with the overall high cost of health care. By 2020, 64 million Americans are expected to be enrolled in Medicare. It is imperative that we reduce wasteful spending throughout our health care system.

“AARP believes we can reduce costs and find significant savings in Medicare using responsible solutions rather than applying harmful cuts to beneficiaries in an attempt to save money. We can do this by improving care coordination for patients, using medical technology more efficiently, addressing skyrocketing drug prices, reducing unnecessary procedures and services, and continuing to ferret out fraud and abuse. All of these things will improve our health care system as a whole while at the same time saving money in Medicare.

“Some in Washington have the mistaken belief that cutting health benefits or asking seniors to pay more is the best way to address Medicare’s financial challenges. A typical senior today has an annual income of just $22,000 and already pays 17% of this in out-of-pocket health care costs. Millions of older Americans depend on Medicare for guaranteed, affordable health coverage, and simply cannot afford more than they already pay. That’s why AARP advocates for common sense policy changes that can ensure affordable health care for American families while improving the quality and delivery of care for today’s seniors and future generations.”

Note to reporters: Fact sheets from the AARP Public Policy Institute provide both national and state data on Medicare. Please also visit www.aarp.org/ppi and search for “Medicare.”

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About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.​