AARP wants candidates to focus on health care

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 22, 2007

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ST. PETERSBURG - Presidential candidates campaigning in Florida can expect persistent grilling about health insurance, prescription drugs and Social Security if AARP has its way.

The lobbying group for older Americans announced Wednesday that it will stock every public campaign event in the state with vocal volunteers who will try to pin candidates down on health care reform and financial security for retirees.

The moment is ripe, AARP "social impact" executive Nancy LeaMond said in a news conference.

Polls show that Americans place a high priority on accessible, affordable health care, she said. And business groups are beginning to take the same view.

The Business Roundtable, traditionally a Republican-tilting organization, will join AARP in trying to steer the public debate toward health care and retirement issues, as will the Service Employees International Union, usually aligned with Democrats.

This unlikely alliance won't push for specific reform proposals, LeaMond said, but will try to get candidates for president and some congressional races to stake out positions.

"Then after the election, we will hold them accountable," she said. "We can unite the moderate middle to get something done that doesn't involve partisan bickering."