Low Income Home Energy AssistaAARP Montana weighs in on health care reform debate
AARP Montana Weighs In On Health Care Reform Debate
Guest Editorial
By Bob Bartholomew
AARP Montana State Director
As health care reform moves to the front burner in Congress, Montanans had a unique opportunity to weigh-in on the debate during recent listening sessions held across the state by the Office of U.S. Senator Max Baucus. This opportunity to revamp our broken down system is a once-in-a generation opportunity. Montanans were fortunate to have a “seat at the table” on this vital issue.
AARP Montana members turned out in force to discuss issues of importance not only to our members, but all Montanans. With members present at each event, we are pleased that Senator Baucus is fighting to:
· Assure that every Montanan (and American) has access to affordable health care.
· Control the skyrocketing cost of health care.
· Improve the efficiency and coordination of our health care system.
AARP has identified additional goals for health care reform. This month, Senator Baucus will introduce legislation. As Senator Baucus and the Finance Committee hammer out the details of the bill, we are asking Congress to ensure that:
· People can afford prescription drugs -- 33% of Montanans on Medicare fell into the “doughnut hole” gap in part D, resulting in higher costs. As drug prices continue to escalate, Montanans are finding it increasingly difficult to afford their medications.
· People can get affordable health coverage regardless of past health conditions or their age.
· More people can receive care at home, (both following a hospital stay or as an alternative to going to a nursing home).
Currently, America’s health care system ranks number one in the world for expense but 37th in the world for quality. With Senator Baucus’ leadership, we can have a world-class health care system for all Americans. As Max has said before, the “time for health care reform is now”. The cost of doing nothing is too great.
AARP Montana would like to thank Senator Baucus and his staff for holding the listening sessions on health care reform around the state last week. We appreciate Max’s leadership on health care reform and we appreciate this unprecedented opportunity to weigh-in on one of the most important issues ever before Congress.
To learn more about AARP’s priorities on health care reform visit www.healthactionnow.org.
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