Dear John,
Some three decades ago, seniors had a House congressional committee dedicated solely to safeguarding their interests. Then the Republicans, led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, took control of the House for the first time in 40 years and shut down the House Select Committee on Aging.
At a time when 12,000 Americans are turning 60 every day and several federal programs that seniors rely on are at an inflection point, there is an increasing need for a House committee that advocates for older Americans. That’s why I urge you to take this important step right now:
Please sign our Emergency Petition to Congress urging your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H. Res. 583 which would reinstate the House Select Committee on Aging and help ensure Congress fully addresses issues like Social Security and Medicare, housing, prescription drugs, long-term care and more.
While there are other committees with jurisdiction over seniors’ programs, there is no single committee in the U.S. House of Representatives dedicated to keeping an eye on the big picture for seniors. Fortunately, the Senate Special Committee on Aging has continued to operate in the absence of a House counterpart.
Today, the Senate committee is working on everything from scams against seniors to increasing home and community-based services, to calling out questionable billing practices by Medicare Advantage insurers.
Seniors have been better off these past decades with a Senate Aging Committee at work — and would greatly benefit from a reinstated and robust House Aging Committee, whose sole mission would be to look out for older Americans’ interests. So please sign our urgent Petition today.
Sincerely,
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