Washington, DC - Congressman David McKinley of West Virginia is keeping the focus on health care and the challenges faced by the nation's seniors.  He sponsored a summit at Fairmont State University last week that attracted a wide variety of experts, featured a 14-member panel consisting of politicians, doctors and other health care providers.

The Association of Mature American Citizens was on hand to promote policies that give seniors greater choice and freedom in determining the health care that best suits their needs.

"It's important that seniors' voices are heard in this debate, and we are committed to making sure that our lawmakers in Washington listen to what they have to say.  It is critical that we present a united front in order to secure and strengthen programs such as Medicare and Social Security.  And so, we are disappointed that AARP declined an invitation to participate in Representative McKinley's summit," AMAC said in a statement.

The discussion focused on five different issues affecting seniors in throughout the country:

• What is needed to provide quality services to our senior citizens?
• What are some of the specific challenges facing seniors in rural areas?
• Are there sufficient resources available for seniors for nutrition needs?
• How can we better address the growing problem of financial abuse against seniors?
• What can we do to ensure that Medicare and Social Security remain solvent for generations to come?

"These are key questions that require engagement and innovative ideas and solutions.  They also call for a determined commitment on the part of representative organizations to the goal of ensuring that older Americans receive the quality of life and dignity they deserve," AMAC said in its statement.