WASHINGTON, D.C. - AARP's Board of Directors determined last week that adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare is the top legislative priority of the 34 million-member AARP. The organization's Board of Directors met here to map out the AARP's legislative course for the 107th Congress and beyond.

AARP President Tess Canja said, "As millions of low and middle income-Americans struggle to afford the cost of the drugs they need, AARP urges Congress to work in a non-partisan way to add a voluntary drug benefit in Medicare available to all beneficiaries."

Recent proposals by both the President and members of Congress will help advance the legislative debate on how to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. AARP's Legislative and Public Policy Meeting comes at a time when much national attention is being focused on budget priorities.

AARP urged that the highest priority uses of the Federal budget surplus are to strengthen and improve Social Security and Medicare, to assure the programs' long-term solvency and to make key benefit improvements such as a Medicare prescription drug benefit and improving widows' Social Security benefits.

AARP also said that if the surplus was sufficient, increased support should go to programs that serve people of modest means, areas of longstanding national need such as rebuilding the nation's infrastructure, improving education, restoration of some of the cuts in social service programs that have suffered during decades of deficits, expanding health insurance coverage, and targeted tax relief.

"These uses of the budget surplus represents sound and responsible social policy," Canja said. "They reflect the findings of public opinion polls that show that Social Security, Medicare, some domestic programs, and debt reduction all come out ahead of tax cuts as a priority use of the surplus."

AARP is the nation's leading organization for people age 50 and older. It serves their interests through information and education, advocacy, and community services which are provided by a network of local chapters and experienced volunteers throughout the country. The organization also offers members a wide range of special benefits and services, including Modern Maturity, the monthly Bulletin, and the soon-to-be-released My Generation magazine.