WASHINGTON — AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins made a statement in response to the Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ reports released today:

“Social Security and Medicare continue to be crucial to older Americans’ wellbeing – to their income and health security. Today’s reports show that both programs remain strong, but there are long-term challenges to address on a bipartisan basis. The most pressing issue is the need to lower the cost of health care and especially prescription drugs. No good reason exists for Americans to continue paying the highest brand name drug prices in the world. We join the president and leaders from both parties in Congress and in state legislatures in working for real solutions to lowering drug prices that, in turn, will help the health and income security of the nation.”

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.