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AARP says Stimulus is first step toward restoring Long-Term
Financial Security for Older Americans
WASHINGTON,
Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a historic and critical
vote, Congress today passed the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Designated as a "key vote" by
AARP on behalf of its 40 million members,
the elected officials' votes will be posted
on AARP's Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch)
so that individuals across the nation can
see how their elected official voted on this
legislation.
Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice
President at AARP, released the following
statement today:
"Unprecedented job loss, loss
of savings and investments, and rising
numbers of uninsured individuals has forced
every American to take notice of this dire
moment in history. The passage of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 is a critical moment for Americans
young and old and a vital jump start to our
ailing economy.
"AARP is pleased to see that
Congress included a $250
economic recovery payment for older
Americans, veterans and people with
disabilities who are not eligible for the
Make Work Pay credit.
"Additionally, we are
encouraged by the long-term investment made
by Congress that brings us steps closer to
health care reform.
"Funding
for health information technology,
comparative effectiveness research and nurse
and primary care training are all essential
building blocks for reform and AARP is
encouraged by their inclusion in the
stimulus bill.
"While this landmark
legislation is crucial to addressing our
nation's most pressing issues today, many
critical issues remain, including bolstering
and securing the housing market, protecting
homeowners from foreclosure and jumpstarting
the credit markets.
"As
an organization that regularly works with
both sides of the aisle, we are hopeful for
bipartisan solutions to these issues as
Congress and the new administration move
forward."
In a recent letter from AARP
CEO Bill Novelli to House
and Senate leadership outlines the most
important issues for older Americans in this
legislation:
The bill contains many
provisions that we believe are paramount to
promoting economic growth, assisting those
most affected by the economic crisis, and
providing the foundation for meeting
critical needs, such as health care and the
development of livable communities. Among
the provisions we agree are especially
needed are:
-
A $250
economic recovery payment for older
persons, veterans, and individuals with
disabilities who are ineligible to
receive a Make Work Pay credit.
-
A significant increase in Medicaid
spending that will help to stimulate the
economy as the current economic downturn
causes caseloads to rise while revenues
plummet.
-
Essential building blocks for health
care reform, including support for
health information technology that
includes critical privacy protections,
health care comparative effectiveness
research, and nurse and primary care
training. These changes are critical
because we cannot fix our economy if we
do not address our broken health care
system.
-
An increase in funding for the Social
Security Administration at a time of
significant caseload increases.
-
Affordable health insurance via
subsidized COBRA for those who have lost
health coverage along with jobs.
-
An extension and increase in
unemployment benefits. Over the past
twelve months the number of unemployed
aged 55 and older has risen by 65
percent.
-
An increase in Food Stamps and other
nutrition support. Fixed and low-income
individuals face unacceptable choices as
food costs increase along with the price
of medicine and health care.
-
An increase in the Weatherization
Assistance Program to help low-income
and older couples reduce their energy
costs.
-
A substantial increase in funding for
transportation infrastructure projects
that expand mobility options, including
mass transit, rural and para-transit
programs, and improved coordination of
human services transportation programs.
-
An increase in the loan value limit for
FHA-insured reverse equity mortgages
that would allow greater numbers of
older homeowners to safely tap the
equity in their homes to refinance
unaffordable mortgages, obtain more
suitable housing, pay medical bills or
just meet daily living costs.
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