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AARP Oklahoma Director: We Can't Afford Not to Fix Health Care

By NANCY COFFER

Senior State Director

AARP Oklahoma

AARP believes health care is not a Democratic or Republican issue. As debate on health reform has intensified, we have seen the rhetoric increase from groups who want to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics.

Let me be clear: AARP has been working with both sides of the aisle – Democrats AND Republicans -- for the last two years to build political support to fix our broken health care system. AARP has not endorsed any comprehensive health care bill. We have endorsed bipartisan bills that would: create a pathway for generic biologic drugs for patients with diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and ALS; close the Medicaid Part D coverage gap, including a deal with the pharmaceutical industry to provide drugs at a discount for those in the doughnut hole; and create a Medicaid Transition Benefit to prevent costly hospital readmissions.

We would like to strengthen and improve Medicare by closing the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole,” ensuring patients’ access to their doctors and eliminating fraud and wasteful spending. We want to make sure all Americans can choose their doctor, their health insurance plan and where to receive care. AARP also believes it is essential that we end discrimination by insurance companies and prevent them from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions or using age to price Americans age 50-64 out of affordable, quality health insurance.

AARP believes in responsible fiscal policy and we recognize that any final health care reform package should reduce the skyrocketing cost of health care, which in turn should reduce the federal deficit. The reality is the financial burden of health care will only get worse over time without action. If nothing is done, family premiums for employer-sponsored insurance will jump nearly 40% by 2012 and will almost double by 2016. The full cost will rise from an average of about $13,000 this year to over $24,000 in 2016. For Medicare beneficiaries premiums have doubled since 2000.

When one in three Americans say someone in their family skipped pills, postponed or cut back on needed medical care due to the cost; when countless bankruptcies are related to medical expenses; when the number of uninsured approaches 50 million; when government spending on health care programs rises so rapidly that it jeopardizes other priorities; and when employers struggle to pay for the costs of health care, the fact is, we can’t afford not to fix health care.

For people in Medicare, health care reform is about protecting the choice of doctor, keeping premiums fair, holding down health care and prescription drug costs, eliminating waste, fraud and abuse and improving care.

Republicans and Democrats agree that the status quo is unacceptable. We’re glad to see progress and we want to maintain the momentum on behalf of our members. This is just the first round in the legislative debate. AARP will continue working to ensure that a final bill is balanced, reduces health care costs and offers our members affordable quality health care. Throughout this debate, AARP pledges to help you find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your families. To get the facts about health reform, and learn about the latest myths and scare tactics, go to HealthActionNow.org .

Added: August 12, 2009
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Read Donut Hole Op/Ed Featuring State President Marjorie Lyons

Click on the following link to read an op/ed on closing the doughnut hole featuring AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons:

http://www.newsok.com/working-to-close-gap-on-doughnut-hole/article/3383646?custom_click=headlines_widget

Added: July 8, 2009
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AARP Oklahoma Asks Supreme Court to Deny Utility Rate Increase

AARP Oklahoma today said it has asked the Oklahoma State Supreme Court to deny a rate increase for utility customers and send the matter back to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for reconsideration.

AARP filed a brief with the court voicing its opposition to an $81.4 million rate increase for more than half a million customers of American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO.) The association contends that evidence in the case shows that PSO did not deserve such a large increase.

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and the Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers (OIEC) also are appealing legalities of the ruling.

The rate increase was approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in January and represents the largest rate increase ever adopted by the Commission.

In its filing, AARP says the rate increase would be unaffordable for many older and low income residents and could force these segments of the population to choose between electricity and basic necessities like food, medicine and health care.

“This increase, which we believe is unfair and unreasonable, will have an enormous adverse impact on older and poor ratepayers of Oklahoma and the resulting burdens will be borne by the public at large,” said AARP State President Marjorie Lyons.

AARP advocates for affordable, cost-effective energy efficiency programs and successfully lobbied the Corporation Commission to adopt demand/energy efficiency rules last year. There are currently more than 442,000 AARP members in Oklahoma.

Added: June 25, 2009
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AARP Launches Donut Hole Calculator

(OKLAHOMA CITY)—By the end of this summer, more than one million older Americans will have fallen into the “doughnut hole”—a coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug program that leaves individuals on the hook for all of their own drug costs while still paying premiums. AARP is launching a new online resource to help older Americans avoid this dreaded coverage gap.

The AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator, available at www.aarp.org/doughnuthole, guides visitors through their prescription drug options using localized information about their plans and prescriptions to determine if or when they will fall into the coverage gap. In about 15 minutes, visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.

“Twenty seven percent of Oklahoma residents in Medicare fall into the gap each year, and millions more nervously wonder if they might fall in,” said AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons. “For the first time, people in Medicare have a simple way to learn if they’ll fall into the doughnut hole and find ways to avoid it by switching to safe, less expensive medications.”

As a part of its Health Action Now campaign, AARP is calling on Congress to close the doughnut hole and lower prescription drug prices so that no one has to go without the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. Yesterday, AARP joined President Obama to endorse an agreement by Senate leaders and the pharmaceutical industry that would reduce brand name drug costs for most people who fall into the doughnut hole by half. Research has shown people cut back on their prescription drugs when their costs become unaffordable, which can lead to more serious health conditions and larger health care bills.

Lyons added: “Saving money on prescription drugs is going to mean pressing hard in Washington to close the doughnut hole; yesterday we were proud to help announce significant progress toward that goal. In the meantime, we also want to give Americans the tools they need to cut their drug costs and stay out of the gap in the first place. We encourage every person in Medicare to take a few minutes to find the right drugs at the lowest prices.”

The calculator is powered by DestinationRx as part of a special arrangement between AARP and Medicare. The data is the same used by the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, giving users the most accurate and up-to-date drug pricing information available.

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.

Added: June 23, 2009
Views: 111 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Oklahoma President Responds to White House Announcement

Statement from AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons on Monday’s announcement of a new agreement to substantially fill the Medicare Part D coverage gap – also known as the “donut hole”:

“Today’s announcement is an early win for health reform and a major step forward in the process,” said AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons. “By substantially closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap – also known as the donut hole – Oklahomans who fall into the gap would have their brand name drug costs cut in half. AARP will continue working to protect the people who rely on Medicare, to further lower drug costs and to have guaranteed access to coverage for all Americans.”

For more details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit www.aarp.org/governmentwatch

Added: June 23, 2009
Views: 135 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Oklahoma Launches Online Opinion Leader Forum

(SPECIAL) – AARP Oklahoma today announced the launch of its “Online Opinion Leader Forum” – a series of interviews on health care reform featuring prominent Oklahomans from varying perspectives and backgrounds.

“Our goal is to leverage these interviews in a way that will cause Oklahomans from all political backgrounds to recognize the need for health care reform in 2009,” said AARP State President Marjorie Lyons. “Each person who participated in this forum brings a unique perspective to the current debate on health care reform and offers valuable insight as we look forward to what we hope will be bipartisan action by Congress this year.”

AARP Oklahoma’s “Online Opinion Leader Forum” can be found on the association’s You Tube Channel at: www.youtube.com/AARPOklahoma .

Those participating in the discussion on health care reform are:

Stanley Hupfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer, INTEGRIS Health, the largest Oklahoma-owned health system with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, independent living centers and home health agencies throughout much of the state;

Dr. Lazelle, Benefield, Phd., RN, FANN, Professor and Parry Chair in Gerontological Nursing, Adjunct Professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Director of the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center;

Pam Cross, Executive Director, Health Alliance for the Uninsured;

Lisa Reed, Coordinator, Baptist Community Clinic, Oklahoma City;

State Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, Speaker Pro Tempore, Oklahoma House of Representatives;

Dr. Mike Ritze, D.O., State Representative, R-Broken Arrow;

Dr. Sharon Zang, Phd., Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Oklahoma Community Health Centers, Inc.

Dale Flanagan, RPh, a retired pharmacist from Morris who volunteers at a free medical clinic in eastern Oklahoma;

Catherine Remer, ARNP, a nurse practioner from Okmulgee who volunteers at a free medical clinic;

Margaret Fitzgerald, Director of Trinity Clinic, a free health clinic in eastern Oklahoma which serves Oklahomans without insurance;

State Senator Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, former Secretary of Health under Gov. Brad Henry, founding member of the Tulsa Coalition of Children’s Health, former president and past board member of the Tulsa Mental Health Association, member of the Community Hospital Authority in Tulsa and the O.U. Health Care Task Force. Senator Adelson also chaired the Health Subcommittee for Governor Henry’s transition team and is a member of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services;

State Senator Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, former co-chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

“AARP, on behalf of our 40 million members, believes Congress must enact comprehensive bipartisan health reform now,” Lyons said. “We are calling on Congress and the President to find bipartisan, common sense solutions this year that will provide affordable health choices.”

AARP’s four primary goals for reform include:

Ensuring Americans age 50 to 64 have a choice of affordable health care plans;

Strengthening Medicare for current and future generations by lowering health costs and improving benefits;

Ensuring both the benefits and the cost of health reform is shared by Americans of all generations; and,

Helping people to stay in their homes and out of costly institutions.

In addition to the “Online Opinion Leader Forum,” AARP Oklahoma also is conducting a “Virtual Kitchen Table Tour” to film the stories of Oklahomans struggling with the health care system.

For the past two years AARP has been working to raise awareness of health care and long-term financial security issues through a campaign known as Divided We Fail – a partnership between the association, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Business Roundtable and the Service Employees International Union.

For more information on AARP Oklahoma, visit www.aarp.org/ok or e-mail: ok@aarp.org .

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. There are more than 435,000 AARP members in Oklahoma. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; 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: April 29, 2009
Views: 202 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Oklahoma Launches Virtual Kitchen Table Tour

AARP Oklahoma has launched a “Virtual Kitchen Table” tour to bring attention to the health care crisis facing residents of Oklahoma and to unveil its health reform priorities for 2009.

“Our health care system is broken and must be fixed now,” said AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons. “Thousands of Oklahomans are facing the prospect of losing their coverage or having their health care premiums double over the next 10 years. We cannot fix our economy unless we fix our health care system.”

AARP is inviting local residents to stop by its “virtual kitchen table” and tell their stories about the struggles they face getting or keeping quality, affordable health care. The stories will be filmed and uploaded to AARP Oklahoma’s website and delivered to Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation.

Already the virtual Kitchen Table has been set up at the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Baptist Community Clinic in Oklahoma City and NEO Health Center in Cherokee County.

Virtual Kitchen Table Stops include:

Trinty Clinic in Calvin April 22nd (5:30 p.m.)
Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center in Pryor (TBD)
Pryor Free Medical Clinic (TBD)

Additional dates will be announced

Stories can also be filmed and e-mailed to cedavis@aarp.org. (Please note: you should keep your video clips under three minutes and clearly state your name and town.) For more information or to tell your story in person at the AARP Oklahoma State Office in the metro Oklahoma City area, call 405-715-4473.

Added: April 17, 2009
Views: 166 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Oklahoma Volunteers Ask Congressmen About Health Care Reform

Members of AARP Oklahoma's 770 Team fanned out across the state to attend Town Hall Meetings hosted by Congressional leaders during the recent Easter Recess.

Volunteers asked about the prospect for bipartisan health care reform in 2009, what barriers will hinder reform and what elements would have to be included in any proposal to get their vote.

Shirley Jackson of Edmond was quoted in the April 14th edition of The Oklahoman when she asked Congresswoman Mary Fallin her ideas to take care of people 50 to 64 who are uninsured and can't afford to buy insurance.

Others attending Town Hall meetings were:

Bobby Knapp, Tom and Lee Edward -- Congressman Tom Cole's Town Hall in Midwest City, April 7th;
Barney and Modina Allen and Mike McComber -- Congressman Tom Cole's Town Hall in Ardmore, April 9th;
Carol and Shirley Jackson, Ricki Brown, Jim Killackey and Ray Harshman -- Congresswoman Mary Fallin's Town Hall in Edmond, April 13h;
Judy Davis -- Senator Tom Coburn's Town Hall in Miami, April 15th;
Charles and Edith Dodson -- Congressman Frank Lucas' Town Hall in Sapulpa, Aplril 16th.

To attend future events, get regular updates and be a part of Oklahoma's 770 Team, e-mail ok@aarp.org

Added: April 17, 2009
Views: 153 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Volunteers Watch Governor Sign Silver Alert Bill into Law

AARP volunteers watched on April 16th as Governor Brad Henry signed House Bill 2030 into law. The bill will create a state-wide Silver Alert notification system whenever a senior goes missing in the state. State Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, lauded the association for its support of the measure that was co-authored by State Sen. Glen Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. Creating a Silver Alert System is one of AARP Oklahoma's top legislative priorities in 2009.

Click here to watch the Governor, Representative Steele and Senator Coffee make comments at the bill signing ceremony that was held in the Blue Room of the Oklahoma State Capitol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alHzbU4h8qI

Added: April 16, 2009
Views: 180 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Watch Online Message from State President Marjorie Lyons

Click on the video section of this site to watch State President Marjorie Lyons deliver a special message about Health Care Reform activities in Oklahoma. Marjorie talks about the need for reform in 2009 and some of the activities Oklahoma will be doing to raise awareness of the situation.

To join Oklahoma's advocacy efforts or to receive regular updates, e-mail: ok@aarp.org

Added: April 9, 2009
Views: 173 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

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