Government Watch helps AARP's 40 million members hold their federal elected officials accountable for the way they vote on the issues of greatest importance to Americans age 50+.

Government Watch is responding to AARP members' demands for more transparency from the U.S. government—their desire to know how their senators and representatives are voting on key issues and what the executive branch is doing to advance critical priorities.

AARP Praises Senators for Moving Health Reform Forward

AARP praised the Senate for voting to continue progress on the health reform debate by supporting a procedural motion that will advance timely passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. AARP urged the Senate to vote to move towards an up-or-down vote on its bill so that it can work with the House of Representatives to build a final health care reform bill that will: lower drug costs for seniors, inluding closing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; protect and improve guaranteed Medicare benefits and strictly limit discriminatory practices insurance companies use to deny older Americans affordable coverage.

AARP members can see how their Senators voted by clicking here.

AARP Praises Passage of Health Reform

AARP applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing critical health-care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that prices millions of Americans out of affordable health coverage.

AARP supports H.R. 3962 because the bill would:

• Protect and strengthen Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees.
• Ensure seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare's payments to doctors.
• Lower drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" and allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
• Take steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program.
• Require Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge for those who don't have coverage.
• Prevent insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health.
• Limit how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket.
• Provide affordable health insurance options for those who don't have insurance or can't afford it.
• Provide benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.

You can see how your representative voted by clicking on this link.

AARP Members Disappointed by Senate's Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors:
AARP members were deeply disappointed that legislation to preserve seniors' access to their doctors was blocked in the U.S. Senate. The Medicare Physicians Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have permanently repealed the system Medicare uses to pay doctors—a flawed system that if left in place will undermine seniors' ability to get the care they need to stay healthy.

AARP members can see if their Senators voted to protect seniors' access to choose their doctor and share their feedback by clicking here.  

AARP Calls for Emergency Relief for Older Americans

The Social Security Administration recently announced that, as a result of the weak economy, there will be no Social Security Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2010. So, instead of seeing an increase in their check next year, seniors’ benefits will be frozen. Since this announcement, AARP has heard from thousands of AARP members who were counting on their yearly increase to help pay for food, utilities and health care. AARP is working with members of Congress from both parties to find a solution to this problem that will bring seniors some financial relief and put money directly in their pockets.

AARP members can tell their members of Congress to act now to ensure seniors get the relief they deserve by clicking here

Lean about AARP’s proposal to provide seniors with $250 in emergency relief

AARP Key Votes

House and Senate Pass Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act: AARP applauds the Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of this Act. AARP members can see how their Senators and Representatives voted and share their feedback on this important legislation.

Read About the Legislation

House and Senate pass American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: AARP applauds the Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. AARP members can see how their Senators and Representatives voted and share their feedback on this important legislation.

AARP's Legislative Champions

Our new award honors members of Congress who promoted legislation to improve the lives of older Americans and their families.