National Conversation on Social Security and Medicare Starts in Florida
Posted March 19, 2012 07:59 am
By
Stephanie Carroll Carson
MIAMI, FL - AARP is stepping forward to give Americans a forum to voice their opinions about the future of Social Security and Medicare. Today in Miami and around the country the organization is announcing its national conversation titled, "You've Earned a Say." It's an effort to enable people to share their concerns with the politicians in Washington.
Victoria Funes, associate state director of AARP
Florida, explains why her organization wants people to
find their voices.
"We found out that there was a really big disconnect
between what Washington is saying and what 50-plus
members were saying, as far as their concerns for Social
Security and Medicare are concerned."
AARP Florida is the only kickoff event in Spanish. Funes
explains that the state's large immigrant population is
sometimes left out of the dialogue.
"For many Hispanics that immigrated into the States as
adults, they didn't grow up with this awareness. To a
certain extent they may not understand what they mean."
In a survey released today by AARP, 98 percent of
respondents said Medicare is important to people's
health in retirement, but only half of them are
confident it will be there for them throughout their
retirement. The data is similar when it comes to Social
Security.
A national television campaign will also begin today to
let Americans know how they can join the conversation.
AARP research shows that 95 percent of Americans think
Washington should spend more time listening to citizens
when it comes to potential changes to Social Security
and Medicare. The "You've Earned a Say" campaign will
coordinate conversations around the country.