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My Journals (137)
Nov.19, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: David Allen or Jordan McNerney, 202-434-2560
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released the following statement applauding the House on its passage of H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009:
“We applaud the House for ensuring that millions of people in Medicare will have the peace of mind of knowing that they will be able to keep access to the physician of their choice. The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act will fix the flawed Medicare physician payment formula and eliminate a looming 21 percent cut to reimbursement rates. With today’s vote, the House has taken a major step towards reforming the physician payment system so doctors will not only continue to treat existing Medicare patients, but also accept new patients.
“We urge the Senate to act promptly on behalf of older Americans and the physicians who care for them and ensure that an unwarranted physician pay cut does not threaten access to care. With only weeks to go before the cuts go into effect, the time to act is now.”
Added: November 20, 2009
Views: 15 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 15 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 18, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
Legislation unveiled today is important step toward meaningful health care reform
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued this statement following today’s introduction of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:
“We applaud the Senate for merging the Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees’ bills and taking another important step toward fixing what’s wrong with our health care system. Under the leadership of Majority Leader Reid and Senators Baucus, Harkin and Dodd, the legislation announced today makes progress toward achieving meaningful relief for millions of older Americans who still face challenges accessing affordable, quality health care services.
“The new Senate bill makes improvements to the Medicare program by creating a new annual wellness benefit, providing free preventive benefits, and — most notably for AARP members — reducing drug costs for seniors who fall into the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole, a costly gap in prescription drug coverage. Too often, those who fall into this coverage gap stop taking their prescription drugs because they simply can’t afford to. The new bill adds a new $500 down payment for prescription drug costs in the doughnut hole in 2010. While we welcome this extra help, we urge the Senate to go further to meet the president’s pledge to completely close the doughnut hole. With the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, we believe this bill should be improved so that it can help millions of older Americans afford their needed medications and avoid more intensive and costly care later in life.
“The bill also makes improvements on age-rating, a discriminatory practice that allows insurers to charge exorbitant, age-based premiums to older Americans. Under the new Senate bill, insurance companies will not be allowed to charge older Americans more than three times more than younger Americans for premiums. We hope the final bill can be improved even further in this area.
“Finally, AARP strongly supports provisions in the Senate bill to strengthen long-term services and supports. The bill retains the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, which recognizes that older individuals and people with disabilities should have the right to live independently in their own homes and communities, and to receive the help they need without having to spend down to poverty. We also applaud the inclusion of provisions to improve access to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Home and community-based care is widely supported by AARP members and is not only cost-effective, but can also help slow the growth in health care spending and keep millions of Americans out of nursing homes and in their own homes.
“The legislation put forward today is yet another milestone in the long journey to health care reform. We look forward to continuing our work with Senators on both sides of the aisle to further strengthen the bill, and we will continue to fight for reform that protects benefits for people in Medicare, improves health care affordability, and improves the health of every American.”
For more information on AARP’s health care reform effort, please visit www.aarp.org/health/articles/health_reform_get_the_facts.html .
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Added: November 19, 2009
Views: 13 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 13 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 16, 2009
CONTACT: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
A new poll of AARP members – including those in Oregon – released today finds strong support across party and ideological lines for elements of health care reform included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole, was endorsed by AARP.
Among AARP members, strong majorities reported that many of the bill’s key provisions were convincing reasons to support the legislation. These include strictly limiting insurers from charging much higher premiums because of age (68%), closing the gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole (69%) and improving coverage for critical preventive services like cancer screenings (77%).
“This survey demonstrates what we’ve been hearing from our members for a long time,” said Ray Miao, AARP Oregon Volunteer State President from Bend. “Despite an inflammatory debate on a very personal and important issue, our members – across party and ideological lines – support health care reform that protects Medicare, lowers the price of prescription drugs, increases their access to coverage and protects their choice of doctors.”
While a partisan divide was evident when respondents were asked about the current plan in Congress, AARP members supported the legislation by more than a 2-1 (63%-30%) margin. More than half of self-described independents indicated support for the plan.
Other reform elements with high levels of support among AARP members included ensuring Americans can see the doctor of their choice (76%), stopping insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person’s health history (75%) and ensuring Americans can keep their current coverage (78%). Majorities of self-identified Republicans supported most of the reform elements presented, including stopping discrimination because of pre-existing conditions (66%), covering routine preventive care (64%) and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices (64%).
Miao added: “The bill recently passed by the House incorporates the reforms that our members care most about. We’ll continue the fight for these critical elements as the Senate takes up its own legislation in the coming weeks. Our members, and all older Americans, are counting on lawmakers to reform the health care system this year.”
Starting on Tuesday, Nov. 17th, AARP will launch a new national television ad on a mix of news, lifestyle, cable and sports channels. The ad, entitled “HELP,” demonstrates that people from all walks of life are feeling stranded by the current health care system. It calls attention to the need for the kind of health care reform AARP has been fighting for: reform that will put patients first, protect Medicare, bring down drug costs and ensure that no one can be denied affordable health care because of their age or health history.
AARP surveyed its members on key health care reform provisions supported by AARP, as well as other contentious issues being discussed in the debate. The telephone survey, fielded October 30 to November 8, 2009, was conducted with randomly selected members of AARP. The nationally representative sample of 803 AARP members has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.
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Added: November 16, 2009
Views: 39 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 39 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 12, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: David Allen or Jordan McNerney, 202-434-2560
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367
Open enrollment period is the best opportunity to carefully choose Medicare drug and health plans for 2010
With Sunday marking the beginning of Medicare’s open enrollment period, AARP is reminding its members and all older Americans to compare their current Medicare drug and health plans with others that are available and choose the one that best fits their needs. People in Medicare have until December 31 to add, drop or change prescription drug and health care plans for 2010. Each year, AARP encourages its members and everyone in Medicare to carefully consider their options for the coming year.
AARP suggests that seniors pay particular attention to changes in the cost of Part D drug coverage. A new AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) analysis of 2010 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans finds a majority of the most popular national plans have increased premiums and cost-sharing for next year.
The report finds that more plans will require copayments of close to $100 for some brand name drugs. Other plans will require enrollees to pay a percentage of their drugs’ prices—instead of fixed copayments—for all medicines except generics. One popular national plan will charge different amounts depending on which pharmacies its customers use.
“Even those seniors who are happy with their current drug coverage should watch carefully for changes to their plans in 2010,” said AARP Senior Vice President Cheryl Matheis. “Each year the rising costs of prescription drugs help push premiums and cost-sharing even higher. Now is the time to talk with your doctor about lower-cost medicines that may be right for you. Then, take a close look at your coverage options and find a plan that best fits your needs and your budget.”
AARP encourages older Americans shopping for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov. This online tool finds plans based on a person’s location and current medications. After receiving a list of available plans, AARP recommends considering the “Four C’s”:
- Costs, including the monthly premium, the annual deductible and cost-sharing.
- Coverage for as many of your drugs as possible, which could save a person from paying more out of pocket.
- Convenience of participating pharmacy locations or access to mail-order pharmacies.
- Customer Service. Check Medicare.gov, which includes quality ratings for plans. Ask you doctors, pharmacist and friends about their experiences.
Oregon's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is a great place for help too. SHIBA volunteer counselors are available to assist those who need one-on-one counseling for free. Call 1-800-722-4134.
toll-free or visit www.oregon.gov/DCBS/SHIBA to talk to a counselor, find a program or counselor nearest you, or to get a copy of the "2010 Oregon Guide to Medigap, Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plans."
The open enrollment period is also an opportunity for people in Medicare to shop for Medicare Advantage plans, which generally combine traditional Medicare benefits with prescription drug coverage and some supplemental benefits. People in Medicare can compare Medicare Advantage plans head-to-head by using the health plan finder at www.medicare.gov. Seniors who need help finding a prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plan can also contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
“Whether you’re looking to move up to a more comprehensive plan, or just looking for the best price, now is the time to shop,” Matheis added. “Making a smart decision now can pay off big next year.”
The December edition of AARP Bulletin looks at trends in Medicare drug plan costs for 2010. Its web site also provides a step-by-step guide to comparing drug plans and finding the best plan for you. Or visit “Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage – Your Questions Answered.”
Matheis and other AARP experts are available for national media interviews regarding the Medicare open enrollment period. To schedule an interview, please contact AARP’s media relations contacts listed above.
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Added: November 15, 2009
Views: 13 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 13 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 12, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: Alejandra Owens, 202-434-2560
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
NASAA: Bob Webster, 202-737-0900
New AARP survey shows high level of concern about financial scams among 55+ population
More than three-quarters of older Americans are concerned that financial scams will damage their retirement nest eggs or those of someone they know, AARP and North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) said today.
In a survey released today by AARP, entitled Protecting Older Investors: 2009 Free Lunch Seminar Report, 78 percent of Americans age 55 and over surveyed indicated that they are very or somewhat concerned about financial scams affecting them or someone they know. A common setting for fraudsters to engage with their victims is by offering a free lunch or dinner, by which an older individual near retirement age is solicited to attend and learn more about investing in retirement.
For attendees of these free seminars, the potential cost can be quite high. Of those who attended a seminar, more than three out of four (78 percent) expected that the free financial seminar would center on opportunities to learn more about financial issues. However, once at the seminar, half of seminar attendees said the presenter asked them for personal information, such as their contact information or information about their finances and 46 percent reported that presenter attempted to make a follow-up appointment at their home. Nearly 40 percent reported that the presenter tried to sell them financial products either during or after the seminar.
“This survey illustrates the lesson that nothing is truly free when it comes to your financial security. Often times, those who attend free lunch seminars have no idea that they are potential targets of financial fraud,” said Jean Setzfand, Director of Financial Security at AARP. “Many people go to these seminars hoping to learn about ways to create a more secure retirement, but instead are pitched financial products that are fraudulent or unsuitable for them.”
Nearly 6 million Americans age 55 and older have attended a free lunch or dinner in the past three years, with mail as the most common method of solicitation (63 percent). Over a quarter of invitees (27 percent) have received ten or more invitations.
In response to such solicitations, AARP launched the Free Lunch Monitor program in collaboration with North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) in October 2008. The purpose of the national program is to raise public awareness about the possible dangers of attending free lunch seminars, empower investors of all ages with the tools to decipher fraudulent educational presentations, and share a tool to report suspicious activity—the Free Lunch Monitor Checklist.
After a year of collecting checklists, volunteers reported that many seminars focused on different types of annuities with 39 percent encouraged to purchase one, and nearly half said that the speaker did not discuss the risks associated with the annuity. Attendees were consistently promised that products were “low risk” or that they would yield “high rates of return.”
“Low risk, high reward is a red flag warning for possible investment fraud,” said NASAA President and Texas Securities Commissioner Denise Voigt Crawford. “Defrauding our senior population is unconscionable and protecting senior investors is a top priority of state securities regulators. I encourage all seniors to investigate before they invest in any offer served at a free lunch seminar. State securities regulators offer extensive employment, disciplinary and registration information about those who sell securities or offer investment advice.”
Setzfand added, “AARP’s creation of the Free Lunch Monitor program with NASAA reflects the commitment we have made to provide our members, their families, and older Americans the best information about how to protect their savings. AARP encourages more people to get involved with our programs to help root out fraud that threatens your long-term financial security.”
To learn more about the Free Lunch Monitor program or to become a monitor, visit www.aarp.org/nofreelunch.
Survey Methodology
RDD telephone interviews were conducted from August 19, 2009 through September 3, 2009 by International Communications Research (ICR) of Media, Pennsylvania, as part of an EXCEL Omnibus survey. The sample was comprised of 1,012 financial decision makers ages 55 and over. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.08% at the 95% confidence level.
For more information about the survey and volunteer findings, please visit www.aarp.org/freelunchreport.
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Added: November 15, 2009
Views: 27 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 27 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 10, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: David Allen or Jordan McNerney, 202-434-2560
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367
“Nearly four million calls to action were sent to AARP members”
After an historic vote in the House of Representatives this past Saturday, AARP and its nearly 40 million members remain hard at work, fighting for comprehensive health reform. As the health care reform debate moves to the Senate, AARP members are continuing to engage their friends and families in sending a message to Members of Congress that the time to fix the problems with our health care system is now.
“While we’re pleased with the vote in the House, there is still much work to be done to ensure that any final health care reform bill helps older Americans get the coverage they need,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “We’ll continue to work with our members and activists to tell senators that Americans age 50-plus need quality, affordable health coverage options, and to protect Medicare—not only for seniors, but also for future generations.”
In the coming weeks, AARP will renew its efforts to ensure that Senate health reform legislation includes provisions to strengthen Medicare by improving prescription drug benefits, making preventive benefits free, boosting payments for primary care doctors and nurses, and cracking down on waste and fraud. We will also be fighting to ensure that any final health reform bill makes coverage more affordable by strictly limiting how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and ensuring no Americans will be denied coverage because of their health history or discriminated against because of gender, and those who cannot afford insurance will receive help to purchase affordable coverage.
In addition, we will fight to ensure that older Americans and persons with disabilities have the support they need to live in their own homes and communities. Other AARP efforts will include:
- National ad buy, both print and television, to promote and support health care reform;
- Community briefings – hundreds of on-the-ground events and presentations to educate members on the specifics of what health care reform means to them;
- Tele-town hall meetings – 40 direct conversations with AARP members and others to answer questions about the health care reform measures now being hammered out in Congress; and
- E-mails to members with the facts about the legislation and how it meets AARP’s health care reform goals, and a call to action for supporters of health care reform to tell the Senate to vote for moving health reform forward.
After endorsing the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), AARP sent nearly four million emails and made over one million calls to its members. “We provided our members with the facts about the legislation and the opportunity to contact their Member of Congress and request that they vote to improve the health care system,” added LeaMond. “Thousands of our members called Congress to make the point that the health care needs of older Americans cannot be ignored. We’re following up with anyone who made a call or sent an email to let them know which way their Member voted.”
“America is closer than it has ever been to fixing what’s wrong with our health care system,” LeaMond said. “AARP will continue to work with lawmakers to address the needs of older Americans as health care reform takes one more step towards becoming reality.”
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Added: November 15, 2009
Views: 10 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 10 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 7, 2009
CONTACT:
Sara Wurfel , 503-706-4634 or swurfel@aarp.org
AARP OREGON KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT
ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is
recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues
throughout the 111th Congress, and informing its
nearly 40 million members of the results of these key votes.
AARP praises House passage of
health care reform bill
Critical legislation would
strengthen Medicare, improve coverage for all Americans
SUMMARY:
Today, the U.S.
House o
f Representatives passed critical
health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for
seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that prices
millions of Americans out of affordable health coverage.
The Affordable Health Care for
America Act (H.R. 3962) makes prescription drugs more affordable for
seniors by closing the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage and
allowing the program to negotiate lower drug prices. It adds
cost-free preventive services like cancer screenings and cracks down
on waste and fraud to protect and strengthen traditional Medicare
benefits. In addition, the legislation provides benefits to
help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes
and communities by establishing the Community Living Assistance
Services and Supports (CLASS) program.
For all Americans—especially
those age 50 to 64 who often struggle to find affordable
insurance—this plan strictly limits how much more insurance
companies can charge based on age, and stops insurers from denying
coverage based on a person’s health history or
gender. For those who still cannot find affordable coverage on
their own, this bill offers help so they can purchase insurance.
Oregon
|
VOTED YES
ON THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT
|
VOTED NO
ON THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT
|
Blumenauer, Earl
|
X
| |
DeFazio, Peter
|
X
| |
Schrader, Kurt
|
X
| |
Walden, Greg
|
X
| |
Wu, David
|
X
|
**
How a legislator votes on issues is
only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance,
which should also include such things as constituency services and
committee work.
“We applaud
Congressmen Blumenauer, DeFazio, Schrader and Wu who supported this
crucial legislation,” said Jerry Cohen, AARP Oregon State
Director. “This bill will help millions of older Oregonians
and all Americans get the health coverage they need, while
strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future
generations. We look forward to working with these lawmakers to
pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act this year.”
AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was
tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its
nearly 40 million members – 535,000+ across Oregon –
and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its
members.
AARP members can see
how their representatives voted on health care reform by going to www.aarp.org/governmentwatch. AARP’s
Government Watch is a one-stop online portal that will be tracking
and publicizing every designated key vote on issues facing Americans
age 50-plus. A “Key Vote Summary”
highlighting votes on these issues will be published at the end of
each congressional session.
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Added: November 8, 2009
Views: 44 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 44 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Nov. 5, 2009
Since we began our latest battle for comprehensive health care reform more than two years ago, AARP has fought for a health care bill that provides quality, affordable health coverage options for all Americans and protects Medicare for seniors and for future generations.
We have read the House of Representatives’ Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961), and we can say with confidence that they meet our priorities for protecting Medicare and reforming our health care system.
Oregon volunteer leaders gather at the state headquarters in Clackamas to participate in AARP's announcement of its House overhaul bill endorsement.
For the more than 45 million Americans in Medicare – 524,000 in Oregon alone – the House plan completely closes the dangerous gap in prescription drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, adds cost-free preventive benefits like cancer screenings, cracks down on waste and fraud and protects the traditional Medicare benefits people in the program rely on.
For all Americans—including our younger members who often struggle to find affordable insurance (an estimated 105,000 in Oregon and growing rapidly between the ages of 50 to 64 are uninsured) — the House plan makes coverage more affordable by strictly limiting how much more insurance companies charge based on age. Americans will also no longer be denied coverage based on health history or discriminated against because of gender, and those who still cannot afford insurance on their own will receive help to purchase affordable coverage.
In addition, the House plan begins to repair the country’s outdated system of long-term care with new provisions to help people prepare for their long-term care needs and live in their own homes as they grow older.
While AARP is pleased to see that H.R. 3962/H.R. 3961 include many of the proposals that are most critical to protecting Medicare and ensuring Americans age 50+ have access to stable, affordable health care, we know the fight isn’t over. That’s why we’re going to keep working with members of the House and Senate to ensure our priorities are included in any final health care reform bill.
And, as the legislative process moves forward, we’ve let Congress and the Administration know that we will fight with the strength of our nearly 40 million members against any proposal that would hurt rather than help Medicare and older Americans’ access to affordable, quality health care.
We will continue to provide the information you need to decide for yourself what the health reform will mean to you. For information on the latest developments, go to www.aarp.org/getthefacts.
Added: November 5, 2009
Views: 61 | Comments: 4 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 61 | Comments: 4 | Bookmarks: 0
What's Good About Health Care Reform for Seniors? A new series of videos addresses how health care reform would safeguard Medicare
In a new series of videos, older people and representatives from organizations that have represented seniors for decades talk about how health reform would safeguard Medicare.
Indeed, the changes Congress is considering would protect Medicare for today's seniors and for future generations, so all Americans can have the health coverage they need when they retire.
The videos include:
- Video One: Seniors to Seniors. Physicians, retirees, and leading health care advocates discuss how health reform will strengthen Medicare by addressing prescription drug coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, and long term care choices.
- Video Two: Health Reform Urgent. Retirees argue that health reform is beyond urgent. Maintaining the status quo means exorbitant costs for seniors and physician pay cuts that jeopardize seniors’ care.
- Video Three: Improve Medicare. A registered nurse, geriatrician, and others discuss how health reform will help seniors struggling with high costs of prescription drugs, improve the quality of care, emphasize prevention, and lower costs.
- Video Four: Improve Long-Term Care Choices. A retired teacher, family caregiver, and AARP's President discuss the need for better long-term care choices. Today, one year of care can cost as much as four years of college.
- Video Five: Keep Your Doctor in Medicare. Physicians explain why Medicare, without health care reform, will require physicians to take considerable pay cuts, potentially forcing doctors to refuse Medicare patients or close their practices.
- Video Six: Keep Medicare Strong Now and for Future Generations. Organization leaders, including AARP’s President, explain how reform measures—such as increasing use of electronic medical records—will lower costs and preserve Medicare for the future.
The videos were created by Seniors to Seniors, a coalition of senior citizen organizations, including AARP, that has come together to educate seniors about what the current health care reform legislation means for them once it is implemented.
Protecting Medicare Is Top Priority
Medicare works for seniors, and AARP wants to keep it that way.
Health care reform will protect the very things we've been fighting for and you've been counting on from Medicare – the benefits promised to you, choice of doctor, and prescription drugs at prices you can afford.
Current health care reform proposals will protect what works in Medicare while they will start to fix what doesn't by tackling these issues:
- Preserving current Medicare benefits and improving coverage for benefits with a package of improved services, such as coordinated care, safeguards against medical errors, and lower costs for preventive care
- Lowering drug prices by closing the coverage gap, or "doughnut hole"
- Ensuring seniors can see the doctor of their choice
- Making long-term care more affordable and relieving family caregivers' burdens by providing new choices to get care at home and in the community
- Providing protections to ensure that the spouses of patients who need Medicaid home-and community-based services for long-term care will not be forced to spend down into poverty
- Improving quality and coordination for the treatment and management of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Helping older Americans who are in greatest need to pay rapidly rising Medicare premiums and other health expenses
- Strengthening Medicare for the future by adding extra years to its solvency
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Added: October 30, 2009
Views: 28 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 28 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Oct. 29, 2009
CONTACTS:
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP National: 202-434-2560 or media@aarp.org
AARP Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued this statement following today’s introduction of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the House of Representatives:
“Today, the House brings us one step closer to a decades-long goal of repairing America’s broken health care system. AARP commends the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and the committee chairs for making progress on an issue that has ended in failure too many times before.
“The Affordable Health Care for America Act will strictly limit insurance companies from discriminating against older Americans because of their age, while making other critical reforms that will make insurance available to every American, regardless of gender or medical history. At the same time, this bill brings improvements to the Medicare program by closing the dreaded prescription drug doughnut hole and adding new benefits to make preventive care more affordable.
“In the coming days, AARP will carefully review this comprehensive bill to determine precisely how it will affect the health care of all older Americans. The urgency for health reform continues to grow, and we cannot afford to delay action.
“We look forward to continuing our work with members of the House and Senate to pass a health care bill this year that protects and improves Medicare and makes quality health coverage available to Americans of all ages.”
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Added: October 29, 2009
Views: 55 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Views: 55 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
