FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010
Contact: AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org, 202-434-2560
AARP Reacts to Medicare Trustees’ Report
“...financial outlook for Medicare has been strengthened significantly…increasing the solvency of the Trust Fund…”
WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued this statement following today’s release of the Medicare Trustees’ Report:
“The Medicare Trustees’ Report issued today contains some important good news. It finds the financial outlook for Medicare has been strengthened significantly as a result of legislative changes, increasing the solvency of the Trust Fund from 2017 until 2029. The report also demonstrates the importance of new tools included in the recent health care law that can increase the quality of care while helping individuals and Medicare save billions of dollars.
“In addition, the Medicare Part D cost estimates in the report are slightly lower than last year, due in part to a higher market penetration of generic drugs and a decline in the number of new products expected to reach the market. This is welcome news to AARP members, who also applauded the gradual elimination of the Part D coverage gap (or ‘doughnut hole’) under the Affordable Care Act.
“Unfortunately, the news is not all positive. As in years past, the Trustees note that health care costs continue to increase and premiums will continue to increase as a result. We must continue efforts to rein in these unsustainable increases and be vigilant in enforcing components of the law that implement important new delivery system reforms designed to lower costs and improve quality. The Trustees’ Report is also the latest reminder of the need for Congress to address stability in physician Medicare reimbursements. Failure to act will jeopardize access to physicians for millions of people in the program. Congress must find the resolve to restore certainty and promote quality with physician reimbursement so that Medicare’s financial security can be assured.
“The health reform law holds the potential to benefit all Americans by reducing health care waste, increasing quality, and lowering costs, but only if it is implemented appropriately. AARP will continue to monitor the implementation of the health care law so that our members and all older Americans can get the care they need.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 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 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA su 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.
