AARP Applauds Senate Passage of Historic Health Reform Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2010

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AARP Applauds Senate Passage of Historic Health Reform Package

Key provisions make prescription drugs, health coverage more affordable for older Americans

WASHINGTON—AARP CEO A. Barry Rand released this statement following today’s passage of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 by the Senate:

“Today, our nation can claim yet another landmark achievement in its rich history. The Senate’s vote to pass health care reform will help more Americans get and stay healthy by closing the Medicare prescription drug ‘doughnut hole,’ making health care coverage more affordable for millions of American families and rooting out and eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in our health care system.

“For too long, people in Medicare Part D have had to make tough choices due to the rising cost of prescription drugs. Today, we’re able to tell AARP members and all older Americans that relief is on the way. The days of skipping medications or cutting pills in half are thankfully coming to an end.

“When we began our effort to reform America’s health care system, we promised our members we would not stop fighting until affordable, high quality health care was made available to all Americans. We have kept that promise. Today, we’re able to tell our members and middle-income families across America that help is coming. Affordable coverage options will now be available to families who were previously left behind because the cost of coverage was beyond their modest means.

“Our work is not done. We will continue to educate our members and all Americans about the benefits of health care reform and what it means for them. And we’ll continue to keep a vigilant eye on how this legislative package is being implemented throughout the nation.

“We are thankful for the leadership, courage and hard work Members of Congress and the President demonstrated in ensuring they followed through on their commitment to older Americans. The fight was a tough one, but with the health of our nation at stake, it was a fight that no one could afford to lose.”

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 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of 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.