AARP Wisconsin Visits Capitol Hill to Urge Separate Debates on Social Security, Medicare

WASHINGTON, DC – AARP volunteers and staff from Wisconsin and every other state in the nation are visiting Capitol Hill today to express opposition to the President’s proposed Social Security benefit cut known as Chained CPI and to support responsible solutions to strengthen Medicare for Wisconsinites.

Meeting with members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation and their staff, we are urging our representatives to have a separate debate on Social Security and to back specific proposals that would strengthen Medicare and the health care system overall.

“Our families, friends, and neighbors want Washington to listen to them when it comes to Medicare and Social Security,” said AARP Wisconsin State President Pat Killeen of La Crosse. “They’ve made their voices heard online, at community meetings and events all over Wisconsin, and today we’ve brought their message to Washington with the hope that we can go home and tell the people who live in our neighborhoods that Congress will strengthen these lifeline programs that matter so much to us.”

In addition to pushing for a broader retirement security debate on Social Security that is separate from ongoing budget negotiations, AARP Wisconsin volunteers and staff discussed embracing health care reforms that eliminate waste and improve care in order to drive positive change throughout the entire health care system and bring down health care costs for everyone, including in Medicare.

By taking action on items that include reducing waste and inefficiency, improving care coordination, and reforming Medicare’s payment incentives to doctors and hospitals in Wisconsin for providing good care, Medicare can remain strong into the future.

We will continue to oppose harmful cuts and push for responsible change to strengthen Medicare and Social Security. You can still get involved in the action by calling 1-866-412-6857  and urging Congress to reject any budget proposal that cuts your hard-earned Social Security benefits!