AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond has called for “common sense” changes
in the Medicare system that can result in costs
savings, while keeping vital programs intact, in
reaction to the recent 2014 Medicare Trustees
report.
The report “reminds us of the financial challenges
facing Medicare,” LeaMond said, “along
with the overall high cost of health care. With
64 million Americans expected to be enrolled in
Medicare by 2020, we must do more to reduce
wasteful spending throughout our health care
system.”
She said the government can reduce costs
and find significant savings in Medicare and
throughout the health care system with responsible
solutions rather than harmful cuts.
“By improving care coordination and better
use of technology, clamping down on high drug
prices, reducing unnecessary services and
other wasteful spending, and targeting fraud and
abuse, for example, we would improve our health
care system as a whole while saving money in
Medicare,” said LeaMond.
“Some in Washington still hold on to the
mistaken belief that cutting benefits or asking
seniors to pay more is the best way to address
Medicare’s financial challenges, even though
a typical senior has an annual income of just
$20,000 and already pays thousands of dollars in
out of pocket health care costs. But we know that
millions of older Americans depend on Medicare
for guaranteed, affordable health coverage, and
simply cannot afford more than they already pay.
“That’s why AARP advocates for common
sense changes that can ensure affordable health
care for American families while improving the
quality and delivery of care for today’s seniors
and future generations.”
Additionally, LeaMond addressed a longterm
projected outlook by the Social Security
Trustees that indicated funds are in good shape.
She said officials “must eventually make
modest changes to ensure current and future
generations of Social Security beneficiaries
receive what they’ve earned, it confirms that
Social Security can continue to pay full benefits
for nearly two decades.
“The trustees once again report that the
combined Old Age, Survivor and Disability Insurance
Trust can pay full retirement, survivor and
disability benefits for approximately two more
decades, and about 75 percent of benefits beyond
that time for at least several generations more.
“While the trustees report that the Disability
Insurance Trust Fund faces a fast-approaching
funding gap, the report confirms that if the
combined resources of the Social Security Trust
Funds are rebalanced, no beneficiary needs to
face an imminent reduction in their earned
benefits,” said LeaMond.
She said to ensure full benefits over the long
term, there should be a national debate on growing retirement insecurity and the critical
role of Social Security in the retirement income
framework.
“Americans of all ages deserve an honest,
open, national discussion about the value of
Social Security and its importance to millions
of retired workers, spouses, children, veterans,
and persons with disabilities. We strongly urge
Congress to hold a separate debate on the solvency
and adequacy of Social Security, as it is
a separate, self-financed, program that people
pay into throughout their lives and count on for
each generation of our families,” said LeaMond.
She said many politicians in Washington
talk about harmful changes to Social Security
as part of a budget debate without considering
“the devastating impact such changes would
have on the millions of American families who
depend on their earned benefits. AARP believes
it is wrong to try to balance the budget by jeopardizing
Americans’ income security, especially
when so many have woefully little set aside for
retirement and struggle with even their own
current economic security.”