National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare - General

General

The National Committee, which was founded in 1982, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., near Capitol Hill. The National Committee acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the board of directors and professional staff.

The organization's work is supported through annual membership dues and contributions. NCPSSM does not receive federal, state or local government funding, and does not sell any products, services or goods. NCPSSM members participate in and support petition drives, letter campaigns, surveys and polls. To date, more than 74 million petitions and letters to Congress and the President have been signed by the National Committee’s members and supporters.

NCPSSM supported provisions in the new healthcare reform law that would strengthen Medicare including closing the Medicare Part D prescription drug “doughnut hole” by 2020, reducing billions in subsidies to private insurers in Medicare, eliminating copays for preventive care, and the passage of the Community Living Assistance Services and Support CLASS Act. The National Committee opposed the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and it continues to seek reforms to correct the flaws it sees in the current law. Other National Committee campaigns included the defeat of President's Bush's plan to privatize Social Security in 2005, the passage of the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act in 2000 and the 1995 campaign against a proposed $270 billion in cuts to Medicare.

The National Committee’s policy analysts and lobbyists meet regularly with Members of the United States Congress and their staffs to present the National Committee's positions and make recommendations regarding current legislative proposals. Through its political action committee (PAC), NCPSSM supports incumbents and challengers who they believe have demonstrated a strong commitment to seniors' issues. Voting records, campaign questionnaires and candidate interviews are considered when determining PAC support.

Grassroots activities are conducted through a national network of managers, area representatives, advocacy leaders, volunteers and a Washington D.C. Rally Corps. NCPSSM representatives organize and participate in workshops, forums, conferences and exhibits to provide legislative updates, advocacy training and education all over the U.S.