AARP Online Community: AARPNE

AARPNE

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Location:
Lincoln, Nebraska
United States

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Serving 222,000 members in Nebraska, AARP is a nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all generations through positive social change

Hometown(s):
Lincoln, Nebraska

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http://www.aarp.org/ne

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"It has been wisely said that whatever many may say about the future, it is ours, not only that it may happen to us, but is in part made by us." --Ethel Percy Andrus

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Proposed amendment a risky gamble with Nebraskans' health care

AARP Nebraska strongly opposes a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban many important health insurance reforms aimed at broadening coverage and lowering health care costs for everyone.

LR 289CA would assert a state-based right for Nebraskans to pay medical bills from their own pocketbooks and prohibit penalties against those who refuse to carry insurance. It specifically bans laws that restrict or interfere with choice of health care plans or direct payment for medical services.

“This resolution attempts to block the implementation of health reform in our state and deserves to be soundly rejected,” said Mark Intermill, advocacy director for AARP Nebraska.

In this afternoon’s testimony before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, Intermill warned that the proposal’s deceptively simple language could result in higher insurance premiums, deductibles and co-pays – driving up already skyrocketing out-of-pocket health costs for individuals and businesses.

“While the resolution may seem harmless on its face, it represents a risky gamble with the health care of all Nebraskans,” he said. “In a struggling economy, our state, our businesses and our families can’t afford to take a risk on such an unproven idea. It could tie the hands of the state and the business community as they try to rein in health care costs and ensure quality.”

If federal health care reform is enacted, the resolution could prevent lawmakers from fully participating in all available state options provided in the legislation. Furthermore, it could weaken the authority of the Nebraska Department of Insurance to regulate the industry and undermine laws establishing minimum coverage standards for health insurance.

LR289 CA could also conflict with Medicaid laws and regulations, potentially jeopardizing federal matching Medicaid funds. Nebraska relies upon these funds to provide health and long-term care services to many of the state’s seniors and persons with disabilities.

“AARP represents about 213,000 consumers across Nebraska and nearly 40 million nationwide. Our members – especially those ages 50-64 – are very concerned about having quality, affordable health care coverage,” Intermill said. “That’s why AARP supports efforts at both the national and state level to reform our broken health care system. We believe that Congress must act to make health care more affordable and accessible, to provide good quality coverage to those who lack insurance, and to assure strong consumer protections every step of the way.”

To read AARP’s complete testimony, visit: http://www.aarp.org/community/AARPNE/journals/AARP_Opposes_Amendment_to/2468932

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.

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Added: February 3, 2010
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Comments (2)

LarryBrad says:

Mixed message confusion: Several AARP officials have gone on record recently to say that AARP has not endorsed the President's Healthcare Plan but I keep getting these pro-rally and bogus Healthcare myth messages from AARP Nebraska. Your own CEO, said "?I want to make it clear that AARP has not endorsed any particular bill or any of the bills being debated in Congress today.' That is because nobody knows what a final bill -- especially H.R. 3200-- will even look like. Why would AARP Nebraska try to rally support for a draft bill that you already know has been rejected by most Americans and even many Democrats still insist on a single payer system? Are you giving free rides and t-shirts to those members who oppose H.R. 3200? Why don't AARP Nebraska do something useful like, say, do something that benefits retired people; If you didn't noticed while planning your Lincoln rally, social security increases stopped for the next two years, which medicare premiums go up. Hey, being a member of AARP has really paid off!! Now I'll make sure that I take a closer look at your event sponsors while I am at it

Posted: August 24, 2009 5:53PM EDT