AARP Comments on Congressional Deal on SCHIP/Medicare Improvements

Source: AARP Press Center | September 18, 2007

AARP addressed Congress in a statement today in advance of an expected agreement on legislation that would reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The statement, from AARP Government Relations Director David Sloane, follows:

"Congress is close to a decision to move forward on a bill to reauthorize SCHIP, a critical program that AARP continues to support, and help children get the health care they need. Unfortunately, more needs to be done."

"America's entire health care system is in desperate need of help. Millions of older Americans may qualify for help paying for their prescriptions and are not getting it. Millions of people in Medicare may lose access to their doctors beginning in January 2008. Regrettably, Congress has decided to put off addressing these critical issues."

"Over the next few weeks AARP will be meeting with leaders of both parties, in both chambers, to remind them that Congress also has a responsibility to help older Americans, and that deferring action until the 11th hour is not acceptable."

"Congress must act so people in Medicare don't lose access to their doctors while ensuring that the cost of preserving access to their doctors is not placed on the backs of those in Medicare. Medicare premiums have already doubled since 2000, and it's not fair for people on Medicare to be expected to pay even higher premiums. It makes no sense to keep doctors in Medicare by making the program too expensive for the people who need the doctors in the first place. Further, Congress needs to help low-income people in Medicare who need help paying for their prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket costs."

"Providing health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured children and improving Medicare for millions of people who rely on the program is a significant decision, but not a difficult one. AARP calls on Congress to seize the opportunity to make major improvements to our entire health care system."

AARP and the American Medical Association will run a new round of joint advertisements in Washington, DC publications beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, September 19th. The ads will ask Congress not to defer Medicare improvements "until the 11th hour." This round of ads is scheduled to run through September. Copies of the print ad are available upon request.