Democrats outline plan for seniors

Single Sign-On: You can use Facebook account to log in to LasVegasSun.com. (We will use your first and last name from your profile.)
Trusted Commenting: Facebook connected users automatically become trusted commenters.

Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate's Democratic leadership today announced a new plan to benefit the nation's 34.1 million elderly.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Richard Bryan, D-Nev., joined their colleagues to announce the legislative agenda, which includes Reid's plan to offer incentives to medical students who specialize in geriatrics and to expand geriatric programs at medical schools.

The Democrats said they also plan to preserve Medicare and Social Security, also a prominent theme among Republicans. Democrats also plan to increase efforts to establish better long-term health care, including offering a tax credit for elderly and the families who care for them.

Nevada's fast-growing population includes a growing number of seniors. The state's population of 65-to-74-year-olds is expected to increase to 140,000 next year, up from 128,000 in 1997.