AARP VIRGINIA ANSWERS MEMBER QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM
NEWPORT NEWS _ AARP Virginia answered questions, debunked myths and explained its position on health care reform when it met with its members on August 20.
“We welcome dialogue with our members about the complex issue of health care reform, and we owe it to them to explain what we are asking Congress to do on their behalf,” said Bill Kallio, AARP Virginia State Director.
AARP Virginia staff met with members at the Newport News Main Street Library for a conversation about health care reform. AARP members in the Newport News area received postcard invitations to the event.
“AARP began having conversations with our members about health care reform more than 18 months ago, and as the issue heats up in Washington, we want them to know that we are listening to them in their community,” Kallio said, noting that AARP began its Divided We Fail initiative in early 2008 to urge bipartisan action on health care and financial security, working with both parties, business and labor organizations.
AARP has not endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress.
“AARP supports specific measures that would help older Americans and their families,” Kallio said. “AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits.”
Kallio said AARP’s priorities for health care reform include bipartisan proposals creating a new follow-up care benefit in Medicare that would help prevent hospital re-admissions, closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64, increasing funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age, creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments, and improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.
For more information about AARP’s priorities for health care reform visit the Health Action Now website at www.healthactionnow.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. 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.
Walgreens Wellness Tour Comes to Virginia
