FARMINGTON — Kevin Howley of Wilton came to talk with AARP Maine representatives Tuesday about the future of Medicare and Social Security at a “You’ve Earned a Say” session at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

“People are talking,” he said.

They may be talking but they don’t feel their voices are being heard, John Hennessy, associate director of advocacy for AARP Maine, said before the session. Many feel decisions on the future of these two programs are being made behind closed doors in Washington, he said.

AARP is listening and making sure many Maine voices will be heard by collecting and organizing data from questionnaires and opinions spoken during similar sessions. The data will be sent to Washington politicians, Maine’s four congressional members, state legislators and political candidates, Hennessy said.

The information will also be used in AARP’s most “robust voter education” effort to help voters be informed, explained Rich Livingston of Lewiston, a volunteer and member of AARP Maine executive council who was there with Hennessy.

This is the ninth county visited for similar sessions in an effort to reach all 16 counties by Labor Day. Held not to inform or advocate any position but to listen to people’s opinions and concerns about the future of Medicare and Social Security.

“You’ve worked too hard to let the next president and Congress decide the future of Medicare and Social Security without hearing from you,” according to AARP materials.

A national effort, it’s especially important in Maine as one of the oldest states in New England and the country where one in five is currently a member of AARP, Hennessy said.

“For one third of the people in Maine, Social Security is their only form of income. For another third, Social Security is the only barrier between them and poverty,” he said.

According to the AARP website, a shortfall in the Medicare (Hospital Insurance) Trust Fund is expected within 12 years. Social Security can pay full benefits for about 20 years if the U.S. Treasury repays the money it has borrowed from Social Security. A partial payment of about 75 percent of promised benefits is expected for several years after that.

“People are concerned,” Hennessy said.

Younger people are also being reached and voicing their concerns.

“Those ages 20-30 are eager to talk about their parents’ and grandparents’ fate. Parents and grandparents are concerned about their children and grandchildren. It’s the American way … looking out for one another,” Livingston said.

AARP has received numerous responses to their questionnaire found at www.earnedasay.org  

Published in the AARP magazine, results of those responding show “52 percent said changes are needed to Social Security, while 77 percent rejected the idea that the program is in crisis and needs a complete overhaul as some in Washington have suggested.”

The results on Medicare questions show 61 percent believe Medicare needs changes.”

Eighty-eight percent “believe that Medicare and Social Security will need some combination of more funding or benefit changes.”

AARP partnered with Western Maine Community Action for the Farmington event. Janice Daku, representing WMCA’s Elder Services, talked with seniors about volunteering in their community and learning about the National Neighbors Silver program. 

Daku said the AARP materials, including the survey, would be available during WMCA programs held in other area communities such as Rangeley and Carrabassett Valley.

For more information on You’ve Earned a Say or to complete a questionnaire, visit earnedasay.org

 abryant@sunjournal.com

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