Congressman Kim Calls for Renewed Effort to Help Seniors Through Coronavirus Crisis on Call with AARP Members

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) held a virtual question and answer session with more than 1,800 members of AARP New Jersey where he called for additional assistance for New Jersey’s seniors, especially those in long-term care facilities which have been particularly hard hit by the Coronavirus crisis.

“In times like this, our senior population can be the most vulnerable, and it’s important that we exhaust every effort to make sure their health and well-being is prioritized,” said Congressman Kim. “Our long-term care facilities have felt the brunt of this crisis; it’s critical that we do everything we can to support the men and women who work hard every day – often without enough personal protective equipment – to take care of our seniors.”

The issues brought up by members of AARP New Jersey include efforts to improve readiness at senior long-term care facilities across New Jersey, the Congressman’s role on the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, and additional funding from Congress for states, localities and vulnerable communities.

“We applaud Congressman Kim for the work he is doing to pass bipartisan legislation to address the unprecedented public health and economic crisis that is now facing New Jerseyans and all Americans,” said Evelyn Liebman, AARP New Jersey’s Director of Advocacy. “AARP New Jersey is continuing to provide information and resources to help older adults and those caring for them stay informed and stay healthy. We’re honored Congressman Kim was able to join our Telephone Town Hall and connect with listeners in Congressional District 3 for an informative discussion on the coronavirus in New Jersey, resources for residents, and answer questions about the economic stimulus package.”

As of April 30^th, New Jersey had more than 18,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at 489 individual long-term care facilities. Of those, more than 1,300 cases are from Ocean County where 150 residents have died from the virus, and 835 case are from Burlington County where 95 have died from COVID-19.

“I want to thank AARP New Jersey and their members for taking time out today to let me hear their priorities,” continued Kim. “I will keep fighting to ensure Social Security and Medicare are protected, and will work to make sure our seniors have what they need to stay healthy, and weather the economic impact, in these trying and troubling times.”
Information about Congressman Kim’s actions to contain the Coronavirus pandemic and address the ongoing economic impact can be found on his website by clicking here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis. He is also a member of the House Committee on Small Business where he serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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