THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
~ Celebrating 25 Years of Advocacy for Older Americans ~

November 5, 2008

NEWS RELEASE

Privatization Supporters take a Beating in ‘08

Leading Seniors Advocacy Organization Celebrates the Election of 93% of Congressional Candidates Supported by PAC

For eight long years while the Social Security and Medicare programs were under attack by the Bush administration, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare led a national education and advocacy campaign to broaden nationwide opposition to the privatization movement and its supporters. The results of those years of NCPSSM efforts are in.  NCPSSM members and supporters have used the 2008 ballot boxes to say “enough is enough” – helping elect a significant number of Congressional candidates who understand the privatization of Social Security and Medicare is not the answer to long-term solvency.  In fact, 93% of the House and Senate candidates who were supported and/or endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC have won their elections.

“Social Security was a critical issue in many Congressional campaigns this season and voters overwhelming chose candidates who were crystal clear in their opposition to privatization. We look forward to working with the new Congress on measures which will preserve and strengthen both Social Security and Medicare for future generations.” ... Max Richtman , National Committee Executive VP and PAC Director

During the 2008 campaign season, the National Committee participated in Congressional Town Hall meetings, hosted Grassroots informational events for seniors, launched a broad voter education/outreach campaign, and ultimately endorsed and/or supported 180 candidates for the U.S. House and Senate.

That same broad outreach will now be focused on shaping public policy changes in the new 111th Congress. Among the National Committee's priorities for the new President and Congress are:

• Enact health care reform that slows the rate of growth in healthcare costs, reducing Medicare's costs for beneficiaries and the government
  
• Eliminate wasteful subsidies to private Medicare programs and use that money to improve care for seniors
  
• Eliminate means-tested Part B premiums to keep Medicare affordable for all

As home equity evaporates, investment income plummets and healthcare costs skyrocket unchecked, programs such as Social Security and Medicare must continue to provide a vital lifeline for millions of American families during this and any other economic crisis. The National Committee is preparing its 2009 Legislative Agenda and will continue to be a leading voice for seniors during upcoming policy debates. On behalf of its millions of members and supporters nationwide, the NCPSSM will lobby Congress and the new President to pass legislation beneficial to seniors, the disabled, survivors and their families.

Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Kim Wright 202-216-8414
www.ncpssm.org