The Link

9/4/2012
AARP NEBRASKA

Metro area residents to have their say on the future of Medicare & Social Security at Omaha town hall Sept. 13

What: "You've Earned a Say" Town Hall on the Future of Medicare & Social Security. AARP leaders will share balanced information - both the pros and cons - about the Medicare and Social Security proposals that are being debated on the campaign trail and in Washington. During the town hall, community members will have the opportunity to say what they think about the different options on the table. Also, AARP's nationally touring You've Earned a Say Tour mobile will make a special stop for the event. The 28-foot unit features interactive games on Medicare and Social Security, a photo and video recording booth, voter guides, online surveys and more.

When: Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012

Town Hall - 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m.

You've Earned a Say Tour Mobile - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (in parking lot on east side of Livestock Exchange)

Media availability with AARP spokespersons before and after the town hall

Where: Livestock Exchange Bldg. 10th Floor - 4920 S. 30th St. Omaha, NE

Who: John Hishta, AARP Senior Vice-President for Campaigns, Washington, D.C.

AARP staff and volunteer leaders from Nebraska and Iowa

Hundreds of residents from Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area

Why: Medicare and Social Security are top election-year issues, and the next President and Congress will likely determine the future of these programs. You've Earned a Say is a national conversation committed to providing the public with information about the Medicare and Social Security proposals on the table - without the political jargon and spin. People have earned their benefits and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that Medicare and Social Security are strong today and will be in the future. AARP launched You've Earned a Say to ensure that before any decisions are made that could affect Americans and their families, the public will have a voice in the debate. See www.earnedasay.org.

Visuals: About 300 area residents using "instant opinion response devices," open mic comments, event signage, personal stories, You've Earned a Say Tour mobile.

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial 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 Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

(CONTACT: Devorah Lanner, AARP Nebraska, 402-323-5425, 402-304-6172 cell, dlanner@aarp.org or Ann Black, AARP Iowa, 515-697-1003, 515-707-1287 cell, ablack@aarp.org)