AARP to Congress: Don’t Ignore Medicare
October 17, 2007
Congress took an important step in September by reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a critical program supported by AARP that helps lower-income children get the health care they need. President Bush has vetoed the legislation, and Congress is expected to vote on an over-ride in mid-October.
Unfortunately, at the same time SCHIP was being passed, Congress chose to delay making critical improvements to Medicare. Please urge your Senators to pass legislation this year that will protect Medicare beneficiaries from higher premiums, help low-income beneficiaries pay for their prescription drugs, and preserve access to doctors.
The situation with Medicare is urgent. Doctors are talking about dropping out of the Medicare system because of cuts in their reimbursement. Premiums are rising and eating into many Americans' retirement incomes. And millions of low-income Americans are denied help with their prescription drug costs. This is simply unacceptable. It is time for Congress to listen to voters and act to strengthen Medicare. The facts are simple:
- Medicare premiums have more than doubled since 2000
- Medicare doctors are facing cuts and may begin turning away patients
- Lower income citizens desperately need help paying for their prescription drugs
With Medicare patients facing skyrocketing costs and the loss of access to their doctors, how does Congress expect an older American on a fixed income to afford a basic level of health care?
The good news is, Congress has the opportunity to change all this. The Senate Finance Committee has begun crafting legislation that addresses these issues. Ask your Senators to support this legislation and make sure it will preserve access to doctors, prevent premiums from rising, and protect our most vulnerable older Americans. Tell them that action on Medicare should not be delayed unti the 11th hour - it's time to act now.
