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AARP applaudes House passage of Medicare Physician Payment Act

AARP Statement on Passage of H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009

Nov. 19, 2009

WASHINGTON—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 19, 2009
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AARP Urges Congress to Pass Medicare Physician Payment Act

AARP Statement on H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009

Nov. 19, 2009

WASHINGTON —AARP Senior Vice President David Sloane released the following statement in support of H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009:

“H.R. 3961 will make certain that millions of Americans in Medicare will be able to keep their access to and choice of physicians, and that’s why we support it. We recognize that if the Congress acts, as it has repeatedly in the past, on physician payment reform, then Part B premiums may rise. But it’s important to consider the changes proposed in H.R. 3961 together with proposed changes in H.R. 3962 that would improve efficiency in the Medicare program and reduce beneficiary premiums. According to CBO, on net these premium increases will account for less than 2 percent of Medicare Part B premium collections over the next ten years.

“Absent Congressional action, physicians will face a 21 percent reduction in reimbursement rates next year and may stop taking Medicare patients, undermining the ability of millions of Medicare beneficiaries to get the care that they need and stay healthy.

“At the end of the day, ensuring access to one’s doctor continues to be a high priority for Medicare beneficiaries—and for AARP. We believe that H.R. 3961 meets this goal by permanently fixing the current flawed payment formula and replacing it with a new payment system which protects access to physicians by paying them fairly and better rewarding them for providing primary care and preventive services.”

Added: November 19, 2009
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AARP Applauds Senate for Progress on Health Care Reform

Legislation unveiled today is important step toward meaningful health care reform
Nov. 18, 2009

WASHINGTON—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 http://www.aarp.org/health/articles/health_reform_get_the_facts.html.

Added: November 19, 2009
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Survey Finds AARP Members Back Health Care Reform Legislation

A new poll of AARP members 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,” AARP Wyoming Director Tim Summers said. “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%).

“The bill recently passed by the House incorporates the reforms that our members care most about. We’ll continue the fight for these critical items as the Senate takes up its own legislation in the coming weeks,” Summers said.

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%.

Added: November 17, 2009
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AARP Endorses House Health Reform Bill

Bill will help 76,000 Wyoming Medicare recipients and 11,000 Wyoming uninsured 50-64 year olds

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.

For the more than 45 million Americans in Medicare – 76,000 in Wyoming 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 11,000 in Wyoming 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
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AARP Disappointed by Senate Vote on S1776

October 22, 2009

AARP Disappointed by Senate’s Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors

S. 1776 would have preserved access by replacing flawed payment system

SUMMARY: Yesterday the U.S. Senate blocked critical legislation to protect access to doctors for the 44 million Americans who rely on Medicare. The Medicare Physician Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have replaced today’s broken doctor payment system, which calls for a 21.5 percent cut in physician pay in January. The bill failed to pass a key procedural vote in the Senate today.

“We are disappointed that both Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso voted to block this important Medicare bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor,” AARP Wyoming Director Tim Summers said, “This bill would permanently replace the broken Medicare physician payment system so people in the program could continue to see their doctor.”

AARP strongly supported the Medicare Physician Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). This legislation would have permanently repealed Medicare’s flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment formula, which has required repeated Congressional action to prevent unwarranted cuts that could harm access to doctors for people in Medicare. Repealing the SGR will stop an unprecedented 21.5 percent pay cut that otherwise will occur in January 2010, and additional cuts in future years.

AARP notified the 111^th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members.

“We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials,” Summers said. “AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information.”

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.

Added: October 22, 2009
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Where AARP Stands on Health Care

Sept. 22, 2009

There's been a lot of confusion about what's involved in health care reform, and even more confusion about who is supporting what. At AARP, our core goal remains the same. We are fighting for our members today, just as we've fought for them for the last 50 years. Today, that means we're fighting to protect the Medicare benefits you’ve earned. To guarantee that you’ll never be denied coverage because of your health or age. To prevent anyone from coming between you and your doctor. And to make sure patients don’t take a backseat to insurance companies.

More specifically, AARP is fighting to:

Protect Medicare Benefits.Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors – because no one should be left to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work. We must protect the Medicare benefits seniors have earned and strengthen the program for future generations. We’re also working to fill in gaps in today’s benefit package, such as closing the Part D prescription drug coverage gap (the so-called “doughnut hole.”) and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for important preventive care like cancer screenings and diabetes tests.

Eliminate Waste: We must reduce waste in Medicare so we can ensure today’s seniors continue to get the benefits they’ve been promised. Currently, Medicare hands out billions in subsidies to private insurance companies. These are tax dollars that should be going to seniors’ care not insurance company subsidies. By eliminating this waste, we can protect senior benefits and fill in some of the gaps in Medicare.

Preserve Your Choice of Doctor: AARP is fighting to ensure doctors get paid fairly so seniors will have the freedom to choose the doctors they need. Without health reform, Medicare doctors will be forced to take a 21 percent pay cut.

Protect Your Right to Make Medical Decisions: AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government. No matter what your age, your care should be your choice.

Prevent Discrimination. Health reform must end insurance abuses, such as denials of coverage due to a person’s health history, or using age as an excuse to charge sky-high premiums. Such discrimination has become a serious problem for Americans age 50-plus who need insurance, and AARP is fighting to make sure needed protections are in a final health reform plan.

Protect Consumers: AARP is fighting to stop the high prices charged by drug companies by: enabling drug price negotiation; allowing safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad; and permitting the sale of generic versions of biologic drugs – costly medications for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

AARP will continue to scrutinize health reform proposals, to determine whether they make sense for our members and their families. We are watching this process closely and will continue to work to make sure all Americans have the health coverage they need.

Stay informed. Read the latest news on how AARP is fighting for you. http://www.aarp.org/getthefacts

Added: September 22, 2009
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Home Heating Assistance Applications in the Mail, on the Web

Sept. 21, 2009

CHEYENNE– The Wyoming Department of Family Services announced Monday that a new application for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Program is in the mail, at DFS field offices, online and soon will be found at senior centers and other places in your town.

LIEAP (pronounced lee-ap) and Weatherization are decades-old programs using federal dollars to help low-income and fixed-income families and elders cover the high costs of home heating and make homes more energy efficient.

"Applications have been mailed to everyone who used LIEAP last year," DFS LIEAP Program Manager Brenda Ilg said. "The application can be downloaded from the DFS Web site, and we’re mailing applications to people who ask."

To get an application or learn more about this home heating help, go to DFS’ homepage,

http://dfsweb.state.wy.us and look for the LIEAP and Weatherization for Home Heating link. Paper applications can be requested by calling the LIEAP help line at

1-800-246-4221 or by visiting a local DFS office. Applications are being mailed this week to senior centers throughout the state.

Those who qualify for LIEAP also qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Participants can own or rent their home, it doesn’t matter, but an application is required and income is one factor in qualifying for LIEAP and Weatherization.

"LIEAP served more than 13,000 Wyoming households last year, and given the current economic conditions, we think we’ll see at least that many this year," Ilg said. "We really want elders to apply, and we’re asking adult children to help their parents or neighbors apply for LIEAP."

Added: September 21, 2009
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AARP Comments on Senate Finance Committee legislation

Sept. 16, 2009

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President John Rother released this statement following today’s introduction of health care reform legislation in the Senate Finance Committee:

“Today’s legislation moves the process forward and we hope the Chairman and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle can continue to have a rational, informed debate about its provisions as the committee’s markup process begins.

“AARP is pleased that the bill focuses on keeping people healthy by eliminating out-of-pocket spending for important screenings and preventive services in Medicare, and by covering annual wellness visits for Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors to focus on prevention. Under the legislation, doctors would be rewarded for providing quality care instead of for the number of tests ordered—a critical step in ensuring patients receive the highest quality care.

“The bill also includes incentives to improve quality of care by providing bonuses to Medicare Advantage plans while reducing subsidies to MA plans, saving taxpayers billions in waste. It introduces a pilot program on follow-up care, an important component in reducing costly and preventable hospital readmissions. Finally, the bill eliminates yearly and lifetime limits on what insurance companies will pay and substantially fills the dreaded Medicare doughnut hole—a costly gap in prescription drug coverage.

“However, we continue to have concerns about provisions that would allow for large differences in premiums based on age that could leave millions of older Americans still unable to afford the coverage they need. We also are troubled by the lack of any provisions to improve benefits for people with limited incomes so they can afford Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and by the inclusion of an added premium tax that would raise prescription drug premiums on many middle-income working people in Medicare Part D.

“We look forward to working with Chairman Baucus, Ranking Member Grassley and their colleagues in the coming weeks to pass a health care reform package that protects benefits for people in Medicare and works for every American.”

Added: September 16, 2009
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AARP Responds to Presidential Speech on Wall Street

New AARP Survey Shows Support For Increased Consumer Protections in Financial Industry

Sept. 14, 2009

Washington , DC – AARP Executive Vice President, Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech today on Wall Street:

“Older Americans saw their retirement savings decimated by the economic crisis. AARP has long maintained that consumers must be armed with as much information as possible so that they can make sound financial decisions. In a world where individuals must plan for their own financial futures, information is imperative and greater protections are needed in the marketplace.

“AARP supports the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would advocate on behalf of consumers’ needs in the financial marketplace. It is important that individuals know they are buying products and getting financial advice from industry certified advisors. It is important that when individuals buy a product that has been recommended to them it is the right product for their needs.

“In a recent AARP survey, 95 percent of people 25 years and older believe in having investment services firms increase their transparency around the costs, risks and benefits of all financial products they offer. The same number of individuals believe companies that manage 401(k) plans should be required to clearly explain their fees on participant’s annual statements. AARP has long advocated for transparency in 401(k) plans, having known that the majority of investors are unaware of the fees associated with their retirement savings.

“Similarly strong support exists for providing consumers with information on how to monitor their investment advisors and report possible professional misconduct (89 percent), and allow them to check their investment advisor’s record (93 percent). Finally, 69 percent believe in only permitting investment firms to sell products that are suitable for the needs, objectives, and risk tolerance of their consumers.

“AARP looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to protect consumer’s financial well-being and to improve the economic security of American families.”

Added: September 14, 2009
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