WASHINGTON, DC – AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond offered the following statement in reaction to the Medicare Trustees report released today:

“The Medicare Trustees report today reminds us of the financial challenges facing Medicare, 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.

“For starters, we 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.

“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.”

Note to reporters: Fact sheets from the AARP Public Policy Institute provide both national and state data on Medicare. Please also visit www.aarp.org/ppi and search for “Medicare.”

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.

CONTACT:
Josh Rosenblum, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org, @joshuarosenblum
Greg Phillips, 202-434-2560, gphillips@aarp.org, @AARPMedia