[coronavirus] Ask Congress to protect older Americans

Email your elected officials now [View in browser]( [AARP Real Possibilities] ADVOCACY ALERT {NAME}, Congress is now considering a third coronavirus bill that is essential for protecting older Americans — and we need you to speak up today to ensure it contains strong language to expand access to health care, protect nursing home residents, ensure seniors don’t go hungry, and give immediate financial help to Americans in this time of crisis. [If you think U.S. lawmakers should take immediate steps to protect older Americans from the fallout from this pandemic, email your members of Congress now.]( [Email them now]( The third bill should be wide-reaching and include provisions to: - Provide financial relief from economic shocks. AARP supports direct cash payments to individuals whether working, unable to work, unemployed, or retired. If Congress does consider suspending payroll contributions, it is imperative to reimburse the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. - Protect residents in nursing homes and other residential facilities. Testing should be prioritized for residents — as well as front-line workers — in long-term care, assisted living, and other facilities, particularly those where COVID-19 cases have already occurred. - Expand access to care. AARP supports improving health coverage, expanding the use of telehealth, more support for family caregivers, and expanded access to home and community based care so older Americans can get the care they need. - Ensure seniors don’t go hungry. The bill should increase the availability of federal nutrition programs, and suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules that would make access to food more difficult during this national emergency. Given the challenge we’re facing, each of these proposals is vital. While we still have much to learn about the coronavirus, we do know that older adults are most at risk. Every single day, AARP members speak up for the rights of older Americans. And right now, during this ongoing emergency, we’ll fight even harder to ensure Congress hears the voices of seniors. [Will you speak up now, {NAME}? Email your members of Congress now.]( Thank you, The AARP Grassroots Advocacy team P.S. AARP is compiling facts and resources about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself. Check out that information here: [www.aarp.org/coronavirus]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [AARP.org]( [Make a Donation]( [AARP Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe from AARP Advocacy]( [Unsubscribe from all AARP e-mails]( [AARP 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049]( [online fundraising, advocacy & donor database]( [nonprofit software](