Lobby group AARP endorses House healthcare bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - AARP, the powerful lobbying group for older Americans, endorsed the U.S. House of Representatives healthcare reform bill on Thursday, bolstering support for the measure as it heads toward a close floor vote on Saturday.

The group said the bill would help older Americans pay for their prescription drug coverage and strengthen Medicare, the government-run health program for the elderly.

"We can say with confidence that it meets our priorities for protecting Medicare, providing more affordable health insurance for 50 to 64-year-olds, and reforming the healthcare system," said Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president of the group.

(Reporting by Donna Smith, Editing by Sandra Maler)