According to an AARP press release, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon promised nearly 7,000 AARP members in his 6^th Congressional District on Thursday that he is fighting to ensure health care reform improves Medicare and keeps it financially viable.

``My mother is 83 and one of my top priorities is to improve Medicare to better serve our seniors,’’ Gordon said during an hour-long tele-town hall hosted by AARP Tennessee.

``I also will fight to make sure we adequately compensate doctors so you can keep your doctors and find other medical specialists in your community who take Medicare.’’

Gordon also told callers that health care reform legislation should stop ``excluding people from getting affordable insurance and stop insurance companies form dropping people when they get sick.’’

AARP's two Tennessee tele-town halls this past week have allowed more than 13,000 Tennesseans to hear directly from their congressmen about what is happening with health care reform.

AARP Tennessee hosted its first tele-town hall on Monday, August 17, allowing 6,300 callers from the 8^th Congressional District to talk with and listen to U.S. Rep. John Tanner, while Thursday’s call attracted more than 6,960 listeners.

"These tele-town halls are such a great opportunity to allow thousands of our members to communicate directly with their congressional representatives from the comfort of their own homes,’’ said AARP Tennessee State President Margot Seay, who participated in both calls from her home in Kingsport.

"They’re hungry for the truth about what health care reform will mean to them, and they want to share their thoughts and concerns."

"We are thrilled that we could make it so easy for them, and look forward to hosting similar calls in other areas of the state.’’

Further information about AARP efforts to fight for health care reform can be found online at the Tennessee branch website or at the national Health Action Now website.

Congressman Bart Gordon met with the Cooper family of Cookeville in his Washington, DC office earlier this months.  Teresa and Darren Cooper were visiting Washington D.C. with their sons, Bryce and Kyle, who are both Cub Scouts (Pack 156).