For more than two years, AARP members and volunteers in Florida have been demanding that our national leaders take action to improve access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans. The good news is that now that debate is happening.
The bad news is that, unfortunately, many Floridians are confused and concerned by sometimes outlandish claims by those who oppose health reform.
It’s time for someone to provide the real facts on health reform. Let’s start at the very top: Our current health system is broken. It costs too much, delivers too little and will only get worse if we don’t adopt fundamental, common-sense reforms.
Some say if reform is passed, you won’t be able to buy private insurance, choose your doctor, your hospital or control your treatment.
It’s just not true. Most Americans now get health coverage through their jobs. The bills in Congress leave employer-sponsored coverage in place. If you have coverage through your job, you’d still pick your doctors and hospital as you do now.
Then there’s cost. Some say reform is just plain unaffordable. Actually, one big reason to act is to help revitalize our economy, especially here in Florida. Nearly one in three Americans say they can’t afford to save for retirement because of high health costs. Florida’s economy may soon pull out of the current slump. But if millions put their retirement on hold because health-care costs keep soaring out of control, we may never restart Florida’s growth.
AARP has posted more information about “myths and facts” of health reform at www.aarp.org/fl . Take the time to learn what health reform would really mean – including the cost of doing nothing.
Everyone has a stake in improving access to affordable, quality health care for all generations. Now it’s up to our elected leaders to get the job done. It’s time to fix this broken system.
Headless Horseman
