Press Release

Senator Gillibrand to Continue Work Helping Seniors, Will Serve on Special Committee on Aging

Feb 19, 2009

Washington, D.C. – New York Senator Kirsten
Gillibrand today announced that she will continue her focus on helping
seniors across New York State by serving on the Senate Special
Committee on Aging. The Committee focuses on issues important to New
York seniors, including Medicare, Social Security, and other issues
important to seniors.

“New York has over 2 million seniors
and I am proud that I will have the opportunity to tackle the issues
that are most important to them,” said Senator Gillibrand. “From the
cost of prescription drugs to fighting nursing home abuse, I will be
able to continue my work helping New York seniors.”

During her time in Congress, Senator Gillibrand has focused on issues affecting seniors, including:

  • Strongly opposing President Bush’s efforts to privatize Social Security;
  • Supporting efforts to negotiate with drug companies to make medicine more affordable and save taxpayers money;
  • Leading an effort to provide $300 rebates or tax cuts to more than 20 million seniors across the country;
  • Cosponsored the Elder Justice Act, which would provide resources to states to combat elder abuse; and
  • Worked
    with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney to include protections for seniors
    in the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act which was passed in the
    House last year.

Following her appointment to the U.S. Senate last month, AARP
praised Senator Gillibrand for her work on “health and financial
security issues important to [AARP] members including outreach on
economic stimulus, consumer protections in the credit card industry and
health care affordability.”

In recent years, the Special
Committee on Aging has taken a leading role on issues including the
cost of prescription drugs, age discrimination, and protecting
residents of nursing homes from abuse. In addition, the Committee has
worked on providing affordable housing to seniors, improving Medicare,
and preserving Social Security.