AARP Makes Medicare Override A "Key Vote" - Association Will Report Roll Calls To Its 39 Million Members

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 16 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Following today's White House veto of important Medicare legislation, AARP announced that it will designate the expected veto override votes in the House and the Senate as "Key Votes."

This designation means that AARP will record the House and Senate roll call votes and inform its members about the bill and how their lawmakers voted. AARP is sending letters to Congressional offices informing them of the "Key Vote" designation.

"We go out of our way to make sure our more than 39 million members know what's at stake in a key vote and how their lawmakers voted," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP's Executive Vice President. "This is a great opportunity for Congress to show their constituents that they did the right thing.

"The President's veto was unfortunate, but Congress still has a chance to make it right. This bill will improve Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it for quality, affordable health care. It helps to ensure people in Medicare can continue to see their doctors while boosting low-income programs and improving safety with electronic prescribing."

Since AARP launched its Keep Medicare Fair campaign in April, AARP volunteers and activists have sent more than 1.2 million messages to Congress and the White House, urging lawmakers to move quickly to pass a bill that makes genuine improvements to Medicare.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

http://www.aarp.org