CHICAGO, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Soaring health care costs and low retirement savings are taking a harsh toll on families across the nation. Congressman Bobby Rush has joined with AARP to move the issues forward, taking the "Divided We Fail" pledge to work across party lines to address affordable health care and financial security for all.
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"AARP commends Congressman Rush for joining the fight to tackle the most pressing domestic issues facing our nation," said Bob Gallo, State Director for AARP Illinois. "These issues are too important to get lost in rhetoric and we're urging every lawmaker throughout the state and across the nation to join Divided We Fail and commit to making a difference."
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Divided We Fail (www.dividedwefail.org) is a national initiative led by AARP, Business Roundtable, Service Employees International Union and the National Federation of Independent Business, to give a voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security. Common sense solutions are needed, and everyone - individuals, businesses and government - has a role and a responsibility in ensuring health and financial security for all.
"We can't let the next generation be the first in American history to be worse off than their parents," added Gallo. "We want elected officials and public leaders to stand up on the issues that matter most by making health care and financial security solutions a priority."
Rush joins hundreds of lawmakers across the nation in taking the pledge to address the issues. In Illinois, Divided We Fail efforts include town hall forums, voter education events, volunteer mobilization, online engagement, and advertising urging political leaders to offer solutions to the nation's health care and financial security needs.
The issues by the numbers:
-- 55% of families who file for bankruptcy cite out of pocket medical expenses as the reason -- 46 million Americans are uninsured, including over 1.7 million in Illinois -- 29% have skipped medical treatments, tests or prescriptions because of cost -- 66% of retirees depend on Social Security for more than half of their retirement income -- Half of all Americans over the age of 65 would live in poverty without Social Security -- Only 1 out of every 5 workers has a traditional pension plan
SOURCE AARP
