WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement on the bipartisan bill providing supplemental funding for coronavirus response:

“We thank congressional leaders for quickly advancing legislation that provides robust funds to address the emerging coronavirus. This legislation provides critical funding, including to states and local communities and their first responders, who are on the front lines of this effort.

“We are pleased the bill includes two of AARP’s major priorities for this legislation. First, it allows Medicare to more effectively use telehealth, allowing older adults to access health care without leaving their homes. We know that older adults are particularly vulnerable to this illness. Using telemedicine can help connect them to necessary health care and reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus further. Second, the bill ensures that treatments are accessible by including much-needed protections that tests or drugs developed to treat the coronavirus are fair and reasonably priced.

“We call on Congress to pass this legislation swiftly and send a bill to the President for his signature.”

AARP on Monday urged lawmakers to immediately pass legislation to provide this funding. You can read the letter here.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

Media Contact: Amanda Davis, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org, @AARPMedia