AARP And AMA Announce Joint National TV Ads Urging Congress To Protect Medicare And Cover America's Kids

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 24 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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AARP, representing nearly 39 million Americans 50-plus, and the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest physician group, joined forces to announce a national TV advertising buy to push for legislation that protects Medicare and extends health insurance to millions of uninsured children.

The TV ad will run across the country and in Washington, DC from July 23 through August 3. This first phase will be at least a $1.3 million ad buy and will coincide with additional tactics the two groups are employing, including print ads and direct mail.

"Older Americans need reduced health care costs and access to their doctor; the CHAMP Act could help accomplish both," said AARP, CEO Bill Novelli. "These ads, combined with direct mail, email, visits to legislators offices and other activities planned during the next few weeks will amplify the voices of nearly 39 million AARP members. The message is clear: We're asking both parties and both chambers to work together to put a bill on the President's desk this year and we are asking the President to sign it."

"This bill is a win-win-win," said AMA President-elect Nancy Nielsen, M.D. "It helps both America's seniors and America's children get the health care they need, and it's paid for with a tobacco tax and an end to subsidies to insurance companies. Today, the nation's patients and physicians call on every member of Congress to support this effort for the health of America."

The House will be considering the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP Act) in the next few days. The Act would preserve access to doctors for Medicare patients, limit older Americans' out of pocket costs, strengthen Medicare for lower-income people and extend health-care coverage to millions of uninsured kids. The CHAMP Act would be paid for by reducing excess payments to insurance companies and by raising the tobacco tax, which would have the additional benefit of decreasing smoking.

The ad can be viewed on the AARP and AMA websites. AARP

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, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, http://www.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.

About the American Medical Association

The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health issues. Working together, the AMA's quarter of a million physician and medical student members are playing an active role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information on the AMA, please visit http://www.ama-assn.org.

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