EDWARDS UNVEILS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FOR OLDER AMERICANS
Will help seniors get the health care and financial protection they need along with the independence they desire
Des Moines, Iowa – Senator John Edwards today unveiled a new agenda for older Americans based on the values of security, dignity and choice. Edwards’ Declaration of Independence for Older Americans will help older Americans get the health care they need and the financial protection they deserve while allowing them to live as independently as they desire. Today, Edwards will also participate in the AARP/Iowa Public Television Democratic Presidential Forum on health care and financial security at the Adler Theater in Davenport.
“It’s time for a new kind of declaration of independence – a commitment to helping older Americans live independently, with the freedom to exercise choice over their health care, financial security and lifestyle,” said Edwards. “It’s not enough to congratulate ourselves on living longer, if we are not living stronger.”
“Americans are living longer than ever before - but our social policies haven’t changed to reflect this shift,” Edwards continued. “Our housing policies too often force seniors to choose between isolation or institutionalization and our health care system is set up to treat the worst problems instead of promoting health and quality of life. We must fix the broken system in Washington that has not done more to address these issues.”
To meet the economic and lifestyle changes of the 21st century, Edwards has proposed the following agenda for older Americans:
Protect financial independence: Edwards will fight to keep the promise of social security, protect pensions and help families save, protect seniors from predatory lending practices, and preserve seniors’ freedom to work.
Promote health security: Through health care reforms, Edwards will protect the future of Medicare and make prescription drugs more affordable. Edwards will also revolutionize chronic care through proactive disease management and will strengthen geriatric health care by rewarding good primary care, encouraging experienced geriatric doctors to train the next generation of primary care doctors and training nurses to identify simple conditions that could cause downward health spirals.
Support living with dignity: Edwards will offer choices in long-term care to older Americans by reforming Medicare and Medicaid to let people elect home-based care in their communities. Edwards will also improve nursing homes and crack down on elder abuse, while at the same time promoting livable communities and accessible transportation to support independent living for older Americans.
Edwards has signed onto the AARP pledge promising to work with elected officials of both parties to develop and implement policies that provide all Americans with access to quality affordable health care and lifetime financial security.
