Press Releases
September 18, 2007
Senior Health Advocates Salute Conrad
Senator Supports Research to Improve Quality of Life for Elderly
Washington –
A leading health advocacy organization honored Senator Kent Conrad today for his efforts in promoting healthier lives for our nation’s senior citizens through his role as Senate Budget Committee Chairman.
"We have a moral obligation to care for our seniors. To do so, we need to both protect Medicare and appropriately fund medical research," Senator Conrad said. "By making Medicare and medical research funding a priority in the nation’s budget, we will ensure quality health care for our senior citizens and open avenues for exciting advances that will improve the quality of their lives."
The Alliance for Aging Research awarded Senator Conrad the 2007 Claude Pepper Award for Advancing Healthy Aging through Research. The organization cited Senator Conrad’s commitment to protecting Medicare and medical research for seniors and for his work as Budget Committee Chairman in preparing the nation for the retirement of the baby boom generation.
"Senator Conrad is a champion of medical and scientific research to improve the lives of older Americans," said Daniel Perry, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aging Research. "As a result of his leadership, older people across the country have greater access to cutting edge medical care."
Senator Conrad has stressed the need to better manage chronic diseases so that seniors receive better care and can lead healthier lives. Proper care management can also help control soaring health care costs, the Senator said.
In addition, Senator Conrad successfully changed Medicare payment rules to increase payments to hospitals and providers (including physicians, home health care agencies, and nursing homes) that serve aging patients in remote areas.
Former Florida Senator Claude Pepper was a lifelong activist for the nation's elderly. The award bearing his name recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to healthy aging through research, and who share the Alliance’s vision for a healthier aging population.
Also honored at the ceremony were Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Dr. Janet Woodcock, the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer of the Food and Drug Administration.
