Presidential hopefuls ignore seniors, Bauer says

COLUMBIA — South Carolina's young lieutenant governor on Tuesday urged presidential hopefuls to address the nation's wave of retirees and their impact on health care and Social Security.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, 38, said presidential candidates of both parties are ignoring the nation's "largest and most important demographic group."

"What is it that is holding our would-be presidents back from actively engaging seniors' issues? What better place than here and what better time than now?" the Republican said in a speech to the Silver-Haired Legislature, made up of about 100 delegates that represent voters over age 60.

South Carolina is expected to hold the first in the south presidential primaries for Democrats and Republicans.

"Which man or woman asking for our vote here in 2007 can promise us that he or she will stand with seniors?" Bauer said.

He noted that people age 65 and older accounted for more than 30 percent of primary votes cast last year in South Carolina.

Bauer said the cost and family strain of more Alzheimer's patients, affordable housing, funding Medicaid and Medicare, helping seniors stay independent, and increasing the number of geriatric doctors should be addressed without raising taxes. The government lacks leadership, political will and innovation, he said.

Bauer received a standing ovation from the group, which was created in 1999 and crafts legislative priorities.

Delegate Janet Agnew, 71, of Spartanburg has helped take care of seniors with dementia over the years and said the candidates' response to seniors' concerns will determine who she supports.

"Now, I'm older and wondering who's going to take care of me," Agnew said. "Something has to be done to assist the caregivers."

Delegate Jean Bridges, 77, of West Columbia said her priorities are better health care, affordable medication and better transportation for seniors.

Dr. Dale Hamrick, who came to hear Bauer's speech, said the nation already is in the midst of a health crisis that will only worsen as Baby Boomers age.

"I'm with him on looking out for the elderly," said Hamrick, 57, who makes house calls to seniors. "I think they are a forgotten group."

The Office on Aging was transferred to Bauer in 2004 after he asked for more responsibilities.

By 2030, the number of seniors age 65 and older in South Carolina is expected to reach 1.1 million and make up 22 percent of the state's population. That's more than double the state's 485,000 seniors in 2000, when they made up 12 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.