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THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
~ Protecting the Health and Economic Future of Older Americans ~
March 19, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Now is the Time to Put America's Health First
Seniors Nationwide Make Final Push to Urge Congress to Pass Health Care Reform Legislation
National Committee members and supporters have sent 12 thousand petitions to Capitol Hill urging Congress to pass health care reform, now. As the clock ticks and a health care vote is expected in the House within days, seniors are mobilizing to ensure their elected representatives understand that doing nothing is not a solution for our nation's health care crisis. More than 100 thousand email alerts have been sent to National Committee members today, urging them to contact their Representatives in Washington and push for passage of health care reform legislation.
America's seniors have been in the crosshairs of a campaign to scare them away from reforms desperately needed to preserve and strengthen Medicare; however, National Committee members understand that doing nothing is a political strategy that actually threatens Medicare. Without health care reform, Medicare will continue to suffer from skyrocketing costs associated with general health care costs, until neither seniors nor the government will be able to afford the program. This inevitably will lead to unprecedented cuts in Medicare - cuts that unlike current health care reform proposals - will directly target Medicare beneficiaries.
"It's impossible to exaggerate the importance of this health care reform vote for America 's seniors - it's historic. Closing the Part D doughnut hole, cutting waste and eliminating billions of dollars of wasteful subsidies to private insurers in Medicare are just a few of the vital reforms benefiting seniors included in health care legislation. The status quo is not an option for seniors in Medicare. System wide health care reform such as what it included in this health care reform plan is absolutely vital for the program's future."...Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org
The National Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.