As members of the US Senate prepare to debate a health care reform bill, senior citizens are getting together to dispel any fears.

Several groups in favor of the health care reform came together today to inform local senior citizens about the bill and to explain what they believe it would mean for medicare.

Marjorie Harding has been retired for 18 years. She says she's seen first hand the cost and problems associated with the nation's current health care system

"If something doesn't happen, I don't know how very many are going to be able to afford our drugs," said Marjorie Harding, Butler County.

Harding along with the Erie Health Care Coalition, a representative from the AARP and Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper's office joined to express their thoughts on the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"There's a lot of misinformation and to be quite honest, a lot of lies, being put out, scaring seniors," said Richard McVay, Penn Action.

As the debate continues surrounding health care reform on Capitol Hill, many Americans, including senior citizens, aren't clear on the effects it will have, if passed into law. Many senior citizens are concerned about the effects it could have on Medicare.

"A lot of them are scared and there's a lot of misinformation out there, and a lot of them are sure they're gonna lose everything," said Helen Brown, Erie County.

But those in support of the bill, say it will actually extend and strengthen Medicare, closing the Medicare Part D prescription drug doughnut hole that affects so many seniors.

"If you're a senior and you are living on a fixed income and you have to do without your medicine because you don't have it to pay in that doughnut hole," said Fred Harding, AARP Representative.

Brown added, "We have to do it, we have to do it and if we all work together we can do it."

Everyone agrees that the best way to be in the know, is to get the information.

For more information on the Affordable Health Care for America Act, you can click here.