AARP Online Community: AARPUT - AARP Utah Goes to Washington to Advocate for Health Care Reform

AARPUT

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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

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AARP Utah Goes to Washington to Advocate for Health Care Reform

AARP Utah joined more than 150 AARP staff and volunteers from every state for a Health Action Now lobby day in Washington, DC on July 30. Heath Action Now is AARP's campaign to ensure that federal health care reform, among other priorities, preserves Medicare benefits, closes the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D, and helps people age 50-64 obtain affordable, quality health care. Joining Laura Polacheck, Advoacy Director from the AARP Utah state office, were volunteers Bob Wassom and Leanne Walker, both of whom shared their concerns about health care under the current system. The Utah team met with representatives from Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett's office, as well as a legislative aide from Rep. Jim Matheson's office.

Bob shared his worry that his 28 year-old daughter, who has an immune deficiency disorder, will lose coverage if her husband loses his job, and she is unable to find insurance because of her preexisting condition. Bob himself is self-employed and has a spinal cord injury, and therefore depends on his wife's coverage to pay for his care. Leanne has severe birth defects which have confined her to a wheelchair. She is also dependent on oxygen, yet she owns and operates a company that provides van service to others in wheelchairs so they can avoid being institutionalized. She no longer can afford insurance for herself, her business, and her vans, and so has no coverage for her own needs.

Overall, more than 200 congressional visits were made by AARP staff and volunteers to help ensure that reform results in higher quality health care that is more affordable and accessible. For more information about AARP's health care campaign, including facts and myths about legislation currently under consideration by Congress, visit www.healthactionnow.org.

AARP encourages Utahns to make their concerns known to their elected representatives that the cost of our current system is unaffordable, and that all Americans deserve access to quality care.