Grassley Named “Guardian of Seniors’ Rights” by the 60 Plus Association
WASHINGTON – The 60 Plus Association acknowledged Sen. Chuck Grassley as a “Guardian of Seniors’ Rights” with an award presented to him for his work to protect Medicare and Social Security.
At the ceremony, the senior citizen advocacy organization endorsed Grassley’s bipartisan Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act, which expands education, prevention and prosecution tools to reduce crimes against seniors and to bring perpetrators to justice. The legislation, introduced by Grassley in the Senate Judiciary Committee, is described as, “one of the most comprehensive and meaningful bills ever developed to address the rapidly increasing problem of elder financial abuse in America” by the Elder Justice Coalition.
“Senior citizens have worked hard to earn their retirement nest eggs and benefits, including their Medicare and Social Security benefits. I will continue to work to ensure that we uphold our promise to seniors in Iowa and across the country,” Grassley said. “Keeping these programs financially solvent for current beneficiaries and for future generations is my commitment to Iowa’s seniors.”
“We seniors felt we should show our gratitude to dedicated lawmakers like Senator Chuck Grassley who show compassion towards the elderly by pledging to 1) always protect Medicare, 2) always protect Social Security, and 3) just as importantly, to vote against wasteful spending of our tax dollars, excessive spending that has our government now borrowing over 40 cents of every dollar it needs to pay its bills. Seniors have to balance their budgets and so should our government,” said 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin. “On behalf of 7.2 million seniors that 60 Plus looks to for support, seniors know you’re in our corner. You have earned our respect and our appreciation. 60 Plus thanks you.”
In addition to the Elder Abuse Preventation and Prosecution Act, Grassley has been heavily involved in promoting the Federal Trade Commission’s “Pass It On” initiative, a public awareness campaign that aims to prevent the financial exploitation and privacy violations of senior citizens, which has been called “the crime of the 21st century.” As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley has been investigating recent revelations of elder abuse at nursing homes involving social media, three of which occurred in Iowa. After Grassley’s call to action, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a detailed memo to nursing home safety inspectors explaining that social media exploitation is a prohibited form of abuse and included best practices for prevention and reporting.
Senator Grassley with 60 Plus Association Chairman Jim Martin and Board Member Robert Coakley
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