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Name: Utah
Birthday: July 1
Location:
Midvale, Utah
United States
School:
University of Utah
Utah State University
Dixie State College
Southern Utah University
Snow College
Brigham Young University
Westminster College
Salt Lake Community College
Weber State
University
Utah Valley University
College of Eastern Utah
Quote:
"What We Do We Do For All" Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP Founder

My Journals (27)

The 2009 Andrus Award for Community Service was awarded to Carol Huffman of Salt Lake City at AARP Utah’s Volunteer Awards dinner held at the Officer’s Club at Fort Douglas at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on October 29, 2009.

 
The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, established in 2002 in honor of AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, recognizes outstanding AARP volunteers and members who make a powerful difference in their communities in ways that support AARP’s mission, vision, and strategic direction and that inspire others to volunteer. Each year the award honors one individual from each state as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
 
For the last 18 years Carol Huffman has served as a Hot Meal Delivery volunteer at the Utah AIDS Foundation, delivering meals to people infected with HIV/AIDS who are home bound.
 
Carol is viewed as the ultimate team player by those with whom she serves. She is always willing to trade shifts or substitute for other volunteers so that clients will not miss their meals. She also helps to train new volunteers who come on board.
 
In addition to her duties with the Utah Aids Foundation, Carol also lends her time and efforts to seven other organizations along the Wasatch Front including Ten Thousand Villages where she serves as Board Treasurer and store volunteer, with the Good Samaritan Program, where she is a food and door volunteer, and as a Taste of the Nation volunteer with Utahns Against Hunger.   Previously she provided volunteer services with Meals on Wheels, the Girls Scouts, St. Vincent's Soup Kitchen.  Carol is also a former Board member of the Utah State Employees' Charitable Fund, Utahns Against Hunger, and the Salt Lake Rape Crisis Center.
 
Her long term commitment to service speaks to her desire to improve the community where she lives and is a wonderful example of AARP founder, Ethel Percy Andrus’ motto, “To Serve, Not to Be Served”

In addition to the Andrus Award, the AARP Utah annual awards event also recognizes other outstanding volunteers from throughout Utah who have made significant contributions to their communities. 
 
 
 2009 Awards for Outstanding Volunteer were also presented to:
 
  • Neil S. Harding of Salt Lake City for his more than 12 years serving as a volunteer at St. Mark’s Hospital;
 
  • Connie K. Hodson of Orem for her volunteer work with AARP’s Driver Safety Program and eleven other organizations through the Mountainlands Area Agency on Aging RSVP program;
 
  • Linda McMahan of Salt Lake City for her more than 3,700 hours of volunteer work with the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City;
 
  • Joe McQueen of Ogden for his 10 years volunteering with the Weber Human Services Senior Companion Program;
 
  • Douglas Murray of Ogden for his dedicated volunteering with the Ogden Nature Center;
 
  • Rose Shepherd of Richfield for her work with the Food Bank of Nephi as well as other organizations in Sevier County.
 
Added: November 17, 2009
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 Survey Finds AARP Members Back Critical Provisions of Health Care Reform Legislation
 
A new poll of AARP members released on November 16, 2009 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%).
 
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%).
 
“The bill recently passed by the House of Representatives includes reforms that are important to AARP’s members. As the Senate takes up its own legislation, AARP will continue to urge lawmakers to include these crucial components.  Our members are eager for Congress to reform the health care system this year,” added Rob Ence, AARP Utah State Director.
 
Starting on Tuesday, November 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%.
 
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 nearly 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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Added: November 16, 2009
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AARP Reminds Americans Medicare Open Enrollment Begins November 15
Open enrollment period is the best opportunity to choose Medicare drug and health plans for 2010
 
With Sunday , November 15 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.
 
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.  The guide is available at http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/quick_route_through_the_medicare_drug_plan_finder_2010.html.
 
AARP’s fact sheet on 2010 Part D plans is available at http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/health-care/medicare/articles/fs161-medicare.html.
Added: November 12, 2009
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Guest Commentary by Representative Steven Mascaro

District 47, West Jordan & Midvale
Utah State Legislature
 
Question: If Mary, 66 years old and John 44 years old were both employed at full time jobs paying $16,000 and both were laid off from their jobs and both worked the required amount of time to qualify for Unemployment Insurance, is it fair that John will receive $667 a month in Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Mary will get $269 a month in Unemployment Insurance Benefits? Some of the business community representatives of the Department of Workforce Service Employment Advisory Council not only believe that is fair, they also believe Mary should get $0 Unemployment Insurance Benefits because of what they call a SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENTS BENEFIT OFFESET or “Social Security Offset” (SSO) for short. Age discrimination by a new name – “Social Security Offset.
 
See, Mary worked for 35 years and retired and started receiving her hard earned Social Security Retirement Benefits. But she soon realized, those benefits did not meet her needs and had to go back to work. Sound familiar? Now she is working full time at minimum wage ($16,000 per year), gets laid off, and then files for Unemployment Insurance (UI) while she looks for work again. But to her surprise, current Utah Law says she will be “penalized” for receiving Social Security Retirement Benefits and have her Unemployment Insurance reduced, in this case, 60%. This law was put in place in 2003. As a Legislator at that time, I did not want to have Mary’s UI Benefits reduced at all but the weight of the business community lobbyist won the day. That SSO law ends next year, and the offset will change to take away 100% of Mary’s UI Benefits.
There are over 247,000 seniors in Utah over the age 65.   In a recent study by AARP, 70% of those seniors plan to extend their working years because they need the money. That is 173,000 workers that, if any are laid off, may be introduced to a new age discrimination law call Social Security Offset. Fortunately, the Utah Supreme Court in April, 2009, ruled in a nearly identical case called “Merrill v. Utah Labor Commission “that treating similarly situated people differently based on if the received social security is a violation of Utah’s uniform operation of the law guarantee.” Another important finding of the Court was that age classification with social security compensation violates the State Constitution and equal protection clause. “It is not reasonable for the state legislature to classify individuals based on the receipt of federal social security retirement benefits because this classification singles out certain people without a rational basis.”
 
In the 2010 Legislative Session, I will carry legislation that will take away the Social Security Offset laws. It is my hope that the Legislature will listen to the Utah Supreme Court and prove that we as Legislators can be rational. We need to end this irrational age discriminatory law and eliminate all Social Security Retirement Benefits offsets to Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
                                                                                                
Note:  A bill proposed by Representative Mascaro to remove the Social Security offset completely and balance the cost with a $3 reduction in benefits to all unemployment insurance beneficiaries unanimously passed out of the House Co-Chair of the Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee on October 21.  Representative Mascaro, who is the House Co-Chair of the Committee, will now sponsor the bill for consideration before the Utah Legislature when it convenes in January of 2010.  The bill will not become law unless it is approved by both the Utah House of Representatives and the Utah Senate, and is signed by Governor Herbert.
Added: November 10, 2009
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Become an AARP Utah Fan

If you’re already registered on Facebook, it’s easy to become a fan of AARP Utah.. Go to the AARP Utah Fan Page,  then click on the button, “Become A Fan” at the top [note: You will have to be signed in to your Facebook account]  If you aren’t on Facebook, you must sign-up first for a Facebook profile, and then become a fan.  The sign-up is in the left-hand corner of the page. 

Once you’re an AARP Utah fan, you will receive AARP Utah’s postings in the Newsfeed on your Facebook Home page! 

Added: November 10, 2009
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AARP Utah 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: Late yesterday evening the United States House of 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.
 

Utah
VOTED YES ON THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT
VOTED NO ON THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA ACT
Bishop, Rob
 
X
Matheson, Jim
 
X
Chaffetz, Jason
 
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.
 
 
“It’s disappointing that some lawmakers voted against this bill and the opportunity to fix our health care system. “This bill will help millions of older Americans get the health coverage they need, while strengthening Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations,” said Rob Ence, AARP Utah State Director. “With millions of older Americans struggling to afford quality insurance and millions of seniors having to choose between their prescriptions and other necessities, AARP believes this legislation must move forward. We hope Utah’s representatives will reconsider their votes when a health care bill returns to the House for final approval.”  
 
AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its nearly 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members.
 
“Americans are able to make informed decisions when they understand the issues and where their lawmakers stand.   AARP Utah will continue to give our members and other Utahns the most accurate and up-to-date information we can,” Ence added.
 
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.
 
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 nearly 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.
 
30 – 30 – 30
Added: November 10, 2009
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AARP Offers Driving Tips for Night Driving; November Proclaimed Driver Safety Month

 
The end of Daylight Savings time on Nov. 1 doesn’t just mean you’re getting an extra hour of sleep. Setting clocks back one hour also means an extra hour of night driving, which can be problematic for everyone, particularly older drivers.
 
Even on familiar roads, motorists should use caution and watch for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who will be less visible, especially during the first week of the time change. AARP urges all drivers to consider the link between night visibility and safe driving. If you have trouble seeing well at night, get your vision checked and consider taking a driver safety course to learn more about how to compensate in dark conditions and make sure you’re driving when you feel most comfortable.
 
To focus attention on roadway safety, AARP is proclaiming this November Driver Safety Month. Since folks will be driving more at night, AARP offers the following tips:
 
·         See and be seen. Get your headlights checked, and turn them on one hour before sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to ensure maximum visibility.
 
·         Stay alert on the road. With reduced visibility, it’s important to reduce your speed, be extra alert, and maintain a three-second following distance.    
 
·         Recognize and prevent drowsiness.  The change in time can throw off our internal clock and may cause drowsiness, so run errands in the morning when you are fresher and more alert.
 
·         Avoid sun glare. You may need to adjust to early morning or late afternoon sun glare that can cause reflections off car windows and hoods and decrease your visibility. 
 
Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants nationwide seeking to refresh their driving skills. The no-test course updates drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect driving ability. 
 
The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and since November is also National Caregiver Month, now may be a good time to have a “family conversation” about driving to help ensure your loved one stays safe on the road. 
 
Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, graduates of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses – both classroom and online – may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. All participants should check with their provider for further details.
 
Find information on local courses, via telephone 1-888-227-7669 or online. www.aarp.org/drive. Find more information about AARP’s online course.  www.aarp.org/drive/online.
Added: November 2, 2009
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Utahns for Ethical Government, [UEG] a nonpartisan coalition of Utah citizens committed to legislative ethics reform has begun an effort to get a citizens’ initiative to reform the ethical standards and processes governing the Utah State Legislature onto the 2010 November statewide ballot. 

 
AARP Utah actively supports this initiative.
 
The initiative would enact a strict code of ethical standards for Utah lawmakers and create an independent ethics commission to apply the code and make enforcement recommendations to the Utah State legislature.
 
Since public hearings on the initiative began, misinformation about the UEG initiative has been disseminated and in some cases the initiative language has been taken out of context and misquoted.   In the interest of accuracy, UEG has prepared a side by side, fiction vs. reality document of corrections to 19 of the erroneous statements that have been circulating statewide, entitled, Setting the Record Straight. It can be found on the UEG website, www.utahethics.org. There you will also find the entire text of the Ballot Initiative as well as the Executive Summary and Frequently Asked Questions about the effort.
Added: October 20, 2009
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AARP TAX-AIDE PROVIDES
FREE TAX TRAINING AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Recruitment for 2010 Tax Season is Underway
 
 
Salt Lake City, UT – AARP Tax-Aide , the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run, tax counseling and preparation service is currently recruiting volunteers for tax counseling and client assistance throughout Utah for the upcoming 2010 tax season.  From February 1 through April 15, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns for middle and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people 60 and older. Last tax season, AARP Tax-Aide counselors prepared more than 13,000 returns for more than 7,000 clients. 
 
“The Tax-Aide program is continuing to grow in Utah and we need additional volunteers who possess a basic knowledge of tax law and who have good computer skills to assist with electronic filing.  The program provides study materials and extensive training to build upon existing skills, and we provide mentoring and support throughout the required certification process. We are interested in volunteers from all areas of the state of Utah. We can also use volunteers who may not be comfortable with preparing tax returns to assist with client greeting and screening,” explained Jack Dahl, AARP Tax-Aide State Coordinator for Utah.   
 
”West Valley City is an area of expansion for Tax-Aide and we are especially interested in recruiting volunteers for service there as well as Kearns, Taylorsville and Magna this season, added Nancy Jeffs the AARP Tax-Aide District Coordinator.
 
AARP Tax-Aide counselors receive comprehensive training and are certified by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax-Aide trains counselors to do basic tax returns -- the types of returns most families and retired people need to file each year. Preparation and training for the upcoming season begins in mid-November, 2009.
 
Leadership positions are also available to coordinate community site operations, or to manage specific program activities such as technology, training, administration or communication.
 
For more information about promoting a Tax-Aide site in your community or becoming a local AARP Tax-Aide volunteer in Utah, please email Taxmanutah@msn.com
 
Tax-Aide welcomes volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, and Tax-Aide volunteer counselors are not required to be AARP members.
 
 
 
 
AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.  The AARP Foundation administers publicly and privately funded programs, such as AARP Tax-Aide and the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program, and is an affiliated 501 c (3) nonpartisan charitable organization. 
 
 
Added: October 19, 2009
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The following op-ed was published on September 24, 2009 in the Daily Herald of Provo, UT under the title "AARP Denies Threat to Care"

 
Health Care Reform and AARP
by Pat Gamble Hovey, AARP Utah State President

Scare tactics abound as the health care reform debate continues. Distortions and distrust permeate and hinder the national conversation.  Those intent on protecting the status quo have trotted out well worn and freshly formed phrases crafted to incite fear-- – Socialized medicine! Rationed care! Death panels!  
 
Here is something really frightening: Health insurance premiums will double over the next 10 years, the Medicare trust fund will go bankrupt and the number of uninsured Americans will continue to rise dramatically. That’s the cost of doing nothing to reform our health care system.
 
AARP is a favorite target of those wanting to crush any reform attempts. These criticisms ignore our history.  AARP’s founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, first founded the National Retired Teachers Association in 1947 out of concern that so many retired educators had no health insurance and inadequate pensions.  Since its inception in 1958, AARP has continued this fight for access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans. 
 
Although we support many provisions currently under consideration, AARP has yet to endorse any bill.   What we do support is meaningful reform. We have laid out six critical priorities important to our membership, all of which are included in bills now under review by Congress.
 
  • Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64.  ( In Utah more than 20,000 Utahns ages 50-64 are uninsured with many more under-insured.)  
 
  • Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “doughnut hole”.  (More than 20% of Medicare beneficiaries in Utah fall in to the Part D doughnut hole.  This means that more than 30,000 Medicare recipients in Utah must pay 100% of their prescription drug costs for at least part of the year.)
 
  • Creating a Medicare transition benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay and prevent costly hospital readmissions.
 
  • Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age.
 
  • Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments.
 
  • Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.
 
Proposals NOT under review in ANY bill are:
 
  • A proposal that jeopardizes Medicare. The current bills seek to eliminate waste, fraud, and procedures that offer no benefit.  They also would reduce overpayments to private insurers in Medicare Advantage plans.
 
  • The government making life and death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Rather, there is a proposal that would allow physicians to be paid for time spent counseling and answering questions about “advance directives,” “living wills,” “durable powers of attorney,” and hospice care for those who inquire .

  • Rationing care for older Americans. Nothing in any of the current proposals leads to this scenario.
 
Americans are concerned about the rising cost and lack of access to health care.  Data released jointly on September 9 by AARP, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association, show that about half of people over 50 fear there won’t be enough nurses or doctors to provide care in the future.  Two-thirds are either very or somewhat concerned that the current system limits their ability to see their doctor of choice.  Seventy-eight percent are worried that either they or someone they know might incur a health care cost that wouldn’t be covered by their health insurance.
 
Similarly Utahns’ support for increased access, affordability, and quality health care is overwhelming according to a March 2009 AARP Utah survey. Eighty-nine percent believe all Utahns should have access to basic care.  The same percentage believes that employers and insurers should contribute to health care costs so that everyone has access to affordable, quality care.
 
Despite many positive attributes, our country’s health care system costs too much, wastes too much and leaves too many without adequate care.  Clearly the time is now for legislation that will provide all Utahns and all Americans access to the affordable, quality health care they desire. AARP remains committed to this goal.  Please visit our health reform website:  www.healthactionnow.org to learn more.
 
 
Added: October 1, 2009
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