We Need Action on Health Reform Now!
By: State: Connecticut | Source: AARP.org
Our health care system costs too much, wastes too much, makes too many mistakes and gives us back too little value for our money. That's why AARP, on behalf of our 40 million members, believes Congress must enact comprehensive bipartisan health reform now.
Our four primary goals for reform include:
- Ensuring Americans age 50 to 64 have a choice of affordable health care plans;
- Strengthening Medicare for current and future generations by lowering health costs and improving benefits;
- Helping people to stay in their homes and out of costly institutions; and
- Ensuring both the benefits and the cost of health reform is shared by Americans of all generations.
The Case for Reform
Coverage for People Ages 50 to 64
As the Baby Boomers age, the ranks of the uninsured ages 50 to 64 have are soaring. The AARP Public Policy Institute says 13 percent or 7.1 million adults age 50 to 64 were uninsured in 2007—1.9 million more than in 2000—a 36 percent increase. With baby boomers representing nearly 20 percent of the population within the next seven years, finding a common-sense solution for this group is critical to holding down costs and improving health and financial security.
Since people develop health problems as they age, and people who have coverage tend to be healthier, this age group is at greater risk of harm if left without adequate coverage. Moreover, they will be sicker and their coverage will cost more when they become Medicare eligible. We need to provide affordable health care choices to Americans 50 to 64, assuring even those with health problems access to care.
Strengthening Medicare
Medicare is a vital source of health coverage for 44 million people 65 and older, people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. Yet, skyrocketing costs and our economic crisis are pricing millions of beneficiaries out of care they need. Today, people on Medicare spend about 30% of their incomes, on average, on out-of-pocket health costs—six times more than people with employer coverage.
These runaway costs burden people on Medicare and undermine the financial health of Medicare itself. That's why AARP supports taking a combination of actions to lower health costs and improve quality while putting Medicare on stable financial ground so it can continue to provide affordable, quality care to current and future beneficiaries.
Such reforms include lowering drug prices through safe importation; drug price negotiation and generics; limiting out-of-pocket costs; stopping overpayments to insurers; ensuring people leaving hospitals get help at home to reduce readmission rates; promoting better care coordination for chronic illnesses; and changing the way doctors and hospitals are paid to reward value instead of volume of care.
Improving Long-Term Care (LTC)
Today, millions of Americans who want care at home are struggling—care is often uncoordinated and people frequently end up in costly institutional care settings. AARP believes all Americans should have the choice to get needed services and supports at home, since 89 percent of Americans 50+ say they want to remain at home as long as possible.
Developing a better system for LTC and people with chronic conditions would save money, improve quality of care and life for individuals who need these services and supports, and better enable them to live at home where they want to be.
Steps to improve long-term care include removing certain income limits on home and community based services (HCBS) and encouraging states to expand HCBS; improving quality and coordination for individuals receiving Medicare and Medicaid; and helping the 34 million family caregivers who support loved ones at any given time.
As the debate over healthcare reform continues, one thing is for sure: The cost of doing nothing is not an option. If you agree that America needs Health Reform Now and would like to learn more or get involved in AARP's efforts, go to www.healthactionnow.org.
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