AARP Thanks Energy & Commerce Committee for Advancing Health Care Reform
Source: AARP Press Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2009
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AARP Media Relations
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AARP Thanks Energy & Commerce Committee for Advancing Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released this statement following the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s passage of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act:
“AARP thanks Chairman Waxman and the committee for their historic passage of health care reform legislation that would help bring quality, affordable health care choices to every American. We know today’s vote marks the next big step toward fixing our broken health care system.
“The bill approved by the committee would make great strides toward ending discrimination by insurers against Americans simply because of their age or health.
“For people in Medicare, this bill would offer significantly reduced costs for those who fall into the doughnut hole--a large gap in prescription drug coverage that leaves millions paying the full cost of their medications. The bill would also close the coverage gap entirely over several years and lower drug costs throughout the program by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate directly with drug makers for lower prices. These critical steps would ensure millions of Americans have access to more affordable prescription drugs.
“In addition, the bill’s long-term care provisions will put more people on track to get the health and long-term care services and supports they need throughout their lives and take some of the burden off of struggling Medicaid programs.
“While we are excited by today’s progress, we are discouraged that the committee has adopted a policy giving biotechnology companies a windfall monopoly period on brand-name biologic drugs that will keep lower-cost generic versions out of the hands of people who need them.
“We look forward to working with Chairman Waxman and his colleagues to build a final package we could endorse that addresses the concerns of the 50-plus population and brings quality, affordable health care choices to every American.”
For more information about AARP’s Health Action Now campaign, please visit www.healthactionnow.org.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
