North Dakotans Have Their Say on Social Security, Medicare

The opinions of more than 2,200 North Dakotans were conveyed to North Dakota’s members of Congress and congressional candidates in a report entitled “ North Dakotans Have Their Say about Medicare and Social Security.”

The report is based on You’ve Earned A Say questionnaires completed by North Dakotans between March and November.

You’ve Earned a Say is a national conversation about how to protect Social Security and Medicare for today’s seniors and strengthen them for future generations. Prior to the Nov. 6 general election, national and state-specific versions of the report were delivered to presidential and congressional candidates in every state, as well as sitting lawmakers, so they can hear directly from Americans about strengthening these vital programs.

“Through You’ve Earned a Say, we’ve heard from people from across North Dakota who think that when it comes to the Medicare and Social Security, Washington isn’t listening,” said AARP North Dakota State Director Janis Cheney. “With these reports, we are helping North Dakotans make their voices heard with lawmakers.

“People of all ages and across party lines believe Medicare and Social Security are critical to the health and retirement security of older Americans,” continued Cheney.

Through the reports, candidate debates co-sponsored with Prairie Public Broadcasting, and more than 30 You’ve Earned a Say events across the state in 2012, AARP worked to elevate the voices of North Dakota voters and provide them with nonpartisan information about candidates’ positions on issues important to Americans 50 and older.

Now that the election is over, AARP looks forward to working with both parties to find common-sense solutions that will strengthen Medicare and Social Security for today’s seniors and future generations.

For more information and to complete our post-election questionnaire, please visit www.earnedasay.org.