Legislative Agenda 2009-2010
Older Americans in 2009 face challenges on several fronts. Health care costs continue to rise dramatically and outpace general inflation. Seniors increasingly use more of their income for out of pocket health care costs. In addition, the economic downturn, which began in 2008, threatens seniors' financial security. Social services, on which millions rely for basic needs, are severely strained. Basic energy and food costs have risen dramatically. This all has come at a time when the oldest members of the Baby Boom generation are beginning to retiree in large numbers, the start of a wave of retirements that will nearly double the number of older Americans. The need for health care services, long-term care, economic security, and housing will grow increasingly urgent as the American population ages.
Current and future retirees, and their families, will need strong Social Security and Medicare systems, access to affordable long-term care, and strong pension systems in order to attain a comfortable quality of life. However, structural changes to the Medicare program and attempts to cut Social Security benefits, as well as current tax policy, which is skewed toward the wealthiest Americans, represent major threats to the security of today's and tomorrow's retirees.
The 2008 elections have given the nation a great opportunity to fundamentally change how
Americans pay for and receive their health care. The country today has a once-in-a
generation opportunity to create lasting, positive change.
The Alliance for Retired Americans believes that thoughtful and effective legislative policies enacted in the 111th Congress will protect and enhance the quality of life for America's retirees for years to come.
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