Technology Links 4,000 AARP members with Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin
For Health Care Town Hall

(Sioux Falls) Thousands of South Dakotans concerned about health care were connected with Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin by phone for a town hall conversation on health care Wednesday night. Through the use of broadband technology, nearly 4,200 AARP members in South Dakota took part in the call discussing a range of topics on health care from affordability, long-term care and cost containment.

“We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s commitment to the issue of health care and for her participation in this important discussion. We can’t fix the economy without first fixing health care,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “This call gave our members an opportunity to hear what’s happening in Washington with regard to health reform and gave Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin an opportunity to hear first-hand personal stories and health care challenges South Dakotans face each day.”

AARP South Dakota staff participated in the call from the AARP South Dakota state office in Sioux Falls, while Rep. Herseth Sandlin participated from Washington, D.C. During the call, Rep. Herseth Sandlin said she is optimistic that health reform can be accomplished this year.

“The status quo is unacceptable. We can’t sustain it. We can’t financially sustain it at the federal government. We can’t sustain a system that is broken, in which the outcomes are worse than Costa Rica,” said Rep. Herseth Sandlin. “We can’t sustain it for our families’ financial health.”
The Congresswoman added that while differences over how to pay for reform have yet to be worked out, she is believes health reform will happen. “I think the seriousness of the administration, the stakeholders, and Congress makes me think we can get it done.”

Listen to clips from the call at http://www.aarp.org/commun ity/AARPSD/video/.

As Congress hammers out the details of health-care reform legislation, AARP members are watching to ensure that the final bill will help older Americans by:
• Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64
• Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole"
• Creating a Medicare-transition benefit to help patients safely return to their homes after hospital stays—thus preventing costly hospital readmissions
• Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home- and community-based services through Medicaid, so older Americans can remain in their homes—thus avoiding expensive nursing homes
• Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs—thus lowering the prices of these costly treatments
• Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need

To be part of our health reform efforts, email us at sdaarp@aarp.org!

AARP Thanks President, Senate Leaders for Helping to Close the “Doughnut Hole”

A third (33%) of South Dakotans with Medicare Part D precription Drug plans fell into the donut hole in 2007. 

CEO Rand: Americans “will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life”

This morning, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand delivered the following remarks at the White House announcement of a new agreement to substantially fill the Medicare Part D coverage gap:

“Thank you Mr. President.  AARP is proud to stand with you and Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd to announce that the gap in Medicare’s drug coverage, known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ will be substantially filled for millions of middle income Americans as part of health reform.

“I want to applaud Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd, who continue to be champions for this issue and have always fought for people struggling to make ends meet.  We are honored to stand with you today.

“Senator Baucus, your strong leadership of the Senate Finance Committee coupled with your creativity is what led to the development of this unique solution.  We also support your Finance Committee’s process and look forward with optimism to its next steps.

“Bottom line: without you, Chairman Baucus, we certainly would not be here today.

“When the President issued his clarion call for all parties to come together and address the issues of health care reform, AARP, representing over 40 million members, was proud to be one of the first to step forward.

“Today’s announcement will mean that struggling Americans who have been looking for help in their pocketbooks just to stay healthy, and who say that one of their single largest drivers of health care costs is prescription drugs—Americans in Medicare’s ‘doughnut hole’—will have their brand-name drug costs cut in half.  That’s a 50 percent reduction in drug costs.

“Too many Americans who fall into the coverage gap stop taking their medications because they simply cannot afford them.  They will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life.

“Mr. President, every American who is burdened by the high cost of health care or has inadequate access to our health care system—every business that is fighting to be competitive and save American jobs knows that health care reform cannot wait.

“This is an early win for reform and a major step forward.  It is a signal the process is working and will work.  But AARP is not done.  We will continue to work with you, Mr. President, and the House and the Senate to protect the people who rely on Medicare, to further lower drug costs, and to have guaranteed access to coverage for all Americans.

“Together, we will complete the mission for comprehensive health care reform.  Thank you for your leadership on this issue, Mr. President.”

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

Thousands of AARP members in South Dakota will hear their phone ring tonight (June 17, 2009)  between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (CDT).  We're using technology to link members with Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for a town hall - via telephone -- to discuss the health care crisis facing every South Dakotan of every age.

This "telephone townhall" gives members the opportunity -- from the comfort of your couch -- to hear about what is being discuss with regard to health care, learn how it may affect you, ask a question or share your view on the topic, and hear what others around the state are thinking.   For tonight's town hall, we are fortunate to have Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin join us.  

“AARP South Dakota is pleased to have Rep. Herseth Sandlin participate in this call. This is a tremendous opportunity for our members to hear what’s happening in Washington with regard to health reform and to have the Congresswoman speak directly to their concerns,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “Likewise, Rep. Herseth Sandlin will hear first-hand personal stories and health care challenges South Dakotans face each day.”

Goodwill Industries announced  the opening of a NEW Adult Day Center located in the Dow Rummel Non-Profit building at 1000 N. West Avenue.  

As our leaders begin crafting legislation to reform our health system, AARP is counting on Congress to make improving long-term care part of the final health care reform bill so that all Americans have the choice to get needed services and supports at home.

AARP South Dakota is counting on you to send that message to Congress. Thursday June 4th, please join me and your fellow AARP members in a national call-in day to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to include long-term care in health reform. 

Why should we reform long-term care to expand access to HCBS?  The numbers tell the story:

• 89 percent of Americans age 50+ say they want to live in their homes as long as possible.
• On average, for the cost of serving one person in a nursing home, you could provide care for three in home- and community-based settings.
• In South Dakota, the state spends just 6 percent of its long-term care funds on home- and community-based services.

Thursday, June 4, call 1-800-335-6946 -- you'll hear a short message, then ask to be connected with your representative.  Tell Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) by reforming the current long-term care system which favors costly institutional care.   We can't afford to wait.   

For more information on AARP's health reform efforts and to share your personal health chare challenge story, visit www.healthactionnow.org.