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AARP Pennsylvania: Stimulus Is First Step Toward Restoring Long-Term Financial Security for Older Americans

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a historic and critical vote, Congress today passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Designated as a "key vote" by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, the elected officials' votes will be posted on AARP's Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so that individuals across the nation can see how their elected official voted on this legislation.

    Pennsylvania                     VOTED YES ON HR 1    VOTED NO ON HR 1
                                     CONFERENCE REPORT    CONFERENCE REPORT

    Casey, Robert P.                           X
    Specter, Arlen                             X
    Altmire, Jason                             X
    Brady, Robert                              X
    Carney, Christopher                        X
    Dent, Charles                                                  X
    Dahlkemper, Kathy                          X
    Doyle, Mike                                X
    Fattah, Chaka                              X
    Gerlach, Jim                                                   X
    Holden, Tim                                X
    Kanjorski, Paul                            X
    Murphy, Patrick                            X
    Murphy, Tim                                                    X
    Murtha, John                               X
    Pitts, Joseph                                                  X
    Platts, Todd                                                   X
    Schwartz, Allison                          X
    Sestak, Joe                                X
    Shuster, Bill                                                  X
    Thompson, Glenn                                                X

Following the vote, AARP Pennsylvania State Director Dick Chevrefils released the following statement:

"Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals have forced every American to take notice of this dire moment in history. The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a critical moment for Americans young and old and a vital jump start to our ailing economy.

"While this landmark legislation is crucial to addressing our nation's most pressing issues today, many critical issues remain, including bolstering and securing the housing market, protecting homeowners from foreclosure and jumpstarting the credit markets. As an organization that regularly works with both sides of the aisle, we are hopeful for bipartisan solutions to these issues as Congress and the new administration move forward.

"The bill contains many provisions that we believe are paramount to promoting economic growth, assisting those most affected by the economic crisis, and providing the foundation for meeting critical needs, such as health care and the development of livable communities. Among the provisions we agree are especially needed are:

    --  A $250 economic recovery payment for older persons, veterans, and
        individuals with disabilities who are ineligible to receive a Make Work
        Pay credit.
    --  A significant increase in Medicaid spending that will help to stimulate
        the economy as the current economic downturn causes caseloads to rise
        while revenues plummet.
    --  Essential building blocks for health care reform, including support for
        health information technology that includes critical privacy
        protections, health care comparative effectiveness research, and nurse
        and primary care training.  These changes are critical because we cannot
        fix our economy if we do not address our broken health care system.
    --  An increase in funding for the Social Security Administration at a time
        of significant caseload increases.
    --  Affordable health insurance via subsidized COBRA for those who have lost
        health coverage along with jobs.
    --  An extension and increase in unemployment benefits.  Over the past
        twelve months the number of unemployed aged 55 and older has risen by 65
        percent.
    --  An increase in Food Stamps and other nutrition support.  Fixed and
        low-income individuals face unacceptable choices as food costs increase
        along with the price of medicine and health care.
    --  An increase in the Weatherization Assistance Program to help low-income
        and older couples reduce their energy costs.
    --  A substantial increase in funding for transportation infrastructure
        projects that expand mobility options, including mass transit, rural and
        para-transit programs, and improved coordination of human services
        transportation programs.
    --  An increase in the loan value limit for FHA-insured reverse equity
        mortgages that would allow greater numbers of older homeowners to safely
        tap the equity in their homes to refinance unaffordable mortgages,
        obtain more suitable housing, pay medical bills or just meet daily
        living costs."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. 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. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, theDistrict of Columbia,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.

    Contact:  Steve Gardner
              (717) 237-6481
              sgardner@aarp.org

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania