The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of 69 national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America’s older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. LCAO serves as a source of information about issues affecting older adults and provides leadership and vision as America meets the challenges and opportunities presented by our aging society. Our organizations have expertise in health care, economic security, nutrition and food security, housing, and other issues facing older adults and people with disabilities, and are committed to advancing public health and promoting access to affordable medicines to keep these populations healthy and improve their well-being and the well-being of their families.

The coalition shares a commitment to advancing the health and economic security of the 60 million Americans with Medicare.1 We agree with the need to address high and rising health care costs, and appreciate the opportunity to recommend policy solutions.

As advocates for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families, we urge you to prioritize beneficiary needs and well-being in this and all efforts to improve affordability. Person and family-centered approaches that optimize the health of the individual and the community should be the primary drivers of any reforms, and approaches that threaten to undermine beneficiary access should be rejected. Below, we outline opportunities to achieve these goals by strengthening the Medicare program.