AARP Statement on 2015 Medicare Trustees Report

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.”