Titus, Dems pitch to seniors

At an event today in the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Dina Titus and other members of a new Seniors Task Force worked to remind elderly voters that it is the Democrats who are passing health care reform and other bills deemed senior-friendly.

The 30-member group, headed by Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., put Democrats squarely on record in favor of senior citizens' rights to economic security, quality health care, protections from scams and "safe and livable communities"

"This Congress and this administration already are doing a lot to work on senior issues," Titus said.

For instance, she noted the new health care law will close the out-of-pocket payment gap for prescriptions under Medicare and eliminates co-pays for preventative care so seniors can get tested for health problems without cost worry.

For her part, Titus noted the House already has passed her bill that would forestall an increase in Medicare premiums this year for certain categories of Medicare and Medicaid patients.

"Count on us," she said. Republicans, she added, "do not have an agenda that puts seniors first."