AARP Alaska Hosts its First Tele Town Hall

By: State: Alaska | Source: AARP.org

Finding a primary care physician who'll accept Medicare is a problem for one out of every four Alaskan Medicare beneficiaries. That's what Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) found out in a poll conducted during AARP Alaska's first live "tele town hall" meeting held with more than 4,000 AARP members throughout the state in mid-March. Utilizing new technology, a third party tele town hall vendor make simultaneous outbound calls to specific demographics, at AARP Alaska's request.

AARP Alaska wanted to reach Alaska Medicare beneficiaries, so the phone calls went out mid-morning to those aged 65 and older. Residents were contacted at home, listened to a pre-recorded message informing them of the event, and encouraged to stay on line. State director Ken Osterkamp hosted the event. Participants could ask questions, share their experiences, or simply listen to the discussion from the comfort of their own homes. Sen. Murkowski, who participated from her office in Washington, D.C., also fielded questions on the high cost of health care.

During the hour-long event, Alaskans spoke up and shared personal experiences of how difficult it has been trying to find a primary care physician who'll accept Medicare. "Irene" expressed concern that lobbyists for private insurers have a louder voice on (on Capitol Hill) than Medicare. "Francis" wanted to know if it could become illegal for a physician not to take a Medicare beneficiary. "Gary" wondered why the United States cannot import drugs that are often at a lower cost and why Medicare doesn't allow price negotiations for prescription drugs. "Bill" noted that the theme of the tele town hall was cost and he wondered where all the money was going, to which Sen. Murkowski responded, "We are all trying to find out where the money has gone…The ever escalating costs need to be reigned in and there is a great deal of discussion about bringing down the cost of prescription drugs."

AARP Alaska would like to hear from other Alaskan residents who may be having trouble finding or keeping their primary care physician. To share your story, write Ann Secrest, Director of Communications, AARP Alaska, 3601 C Street, Suite 1420, Anchorage, AK 99503.