Volunteers and Staff Engaged as Arkansas' Congressmen Talk Health Care Reform

By: State: Arkansas | Source: AARP.org

"If you like your health care plan and your doctor, you'll be able to keep them [under a new health care reform plan]. That doesn't sound like socialized medicine to me." - Congressman Mike Ross (D)

Arkansas' 4th District U.S. Congressman Mike Ross assured a small DeQueen audience, including AARP members and volunteers, that he will work to make certain that health care needs of rural people get high priority. Ross is chair of the Blue Dog Democratic Coalition's task force on Health Care. The coalition is a group of moderate and conservative Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives. The Blue Dogs promote, among other things, fiscal conservatism and accountability.

Lou Tobian, AARP Associate State Director, members and volunteers participated in Ross' town hall meeting. Tobian says Congressman Ross gave several reasons that the U.S. is the most expensive, yet one of the least effective health care systems.

• Forty percent of every tax dollar goes to Medicare and Medicaid today; and by 2040 that percentage will increase to 100%
• One out of four working Arkansans is uninsured
• Every 30 seconds, someone in U.S. declares bankruptcy
• Health care reform is the key to balancing the budget

AARP volunteer Jean Killian asked the 4th District congressman what his health care reform priorities are. Ross listed cost containment, our health care delivery system, who gets paid for what, who pays for what, and discounts for leading a healthy lifestyle. Ross also said a plan that small business, self-employed, and uninsured can buy into is very important. Other needed features are portability, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and lower administrative expenses.

During the Easter recess from Congress, AARP Arkansas volunteers also attended health care town hall meetings in Arkansas which were hosted by U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Representative Marion Berry.

AARP has launched a national campaign called Health Action Now which is based on the premise that Americans will no longer settle for a health care system that costs too much, wastes too much, and leaves too many without care.

You can join the HealthActionNow.org movement and tell Congress that NOW is the time for health reform. Go to www.healthactionnow.org to let decision makers know that you support the campaign.