A Clear Call for Action
By: William D. Novelli, Chief Executive Officer Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: December 2006
The November elections are behind us. The people have spoken; they elected, re-elected and un-elected candidates across the country, and their message to our politicians was clear: Regardless of which party you're in, stop the bickering and work together to solve the nation's problems.
In my new book, 50+: Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America, I said that we have to break the stalemate and gridlock among our elected officials. It's the only way to face the huge challenges in front of us. American voters just took a forceful step in that direction.
In our exit polling, we found that voters 50-plus-who accounted for more than half of the electorate-said they are dissatisfied with the direction the nation is heading and want change.
Will it happen? We're seeing signs that our leaders in Washington might heed the call for bipartisanship. President Bush reached out to the new Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate, who in turn are talking about wanting to work with the administration. The question remains as to whether this talk will last and translate into bipartisan action.
And, if it does, on what issues? A priority for Americans 50-plus is fixing health care. Some of what needs to be done is already on the legislative table-for example, permitting the government to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies for the Medicare prescription drug benefit. This could help bring down the high cost of drugs for those enrolled in the program.
Getting a better health-record system in place through information technology is also before Congress. Done right, this could save lives and save money.
Legalizing the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other countries would help cut drug costs for Americans of all ages. Congress could do this quickly with more bipartisan support.
Then there is the so-called "doc fix," which involves maintaining or raising payments to doctors for treating Medicare patients. Physicians need to be compensated fairly, but each time Congress increases their payments, Medicare Part B premiums rise. This would be easier to take if we get better care rather than pay a flat amount for each physician service, regardless of quality.
We will work with the administration and the new Congress to get these things done right. But much more is needed, including health care coverage for America's 46 million uninsured; doing more to help prevent disease and promote good health; helping people to better manage chronic conditions; and squeezing unnecessary costs out of our health care system.
The new leaders in Congress have also talked about helping people save more for retirement. And we must absolutely address Social Security's long-term solvency to ensure a guaranteed benefit for future generations.
Voters sent a message to our elected officials on Nov. 7. Now the challenge is for Congress, the administration and state officials to deliver. Voters asked them to make hard choices, break out of their partisan ranks and work together for the good of the country. It's up to us to pay close attention and hold these officials accountable.
Lee Hamilton, the former congressman from Indiana, put it this way: "Once you've cast your vote, that's only the beginning of your obligation."
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