AARP Michigan Supports Health Care for Michigan Ballot Initiative
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2008-01-15 14:02:46.899424-05:00
AARP Michigan supports the Health Care for Michigan ballot initiative which would amend the Michigan Constitution to require the Michigan legislature to pass laws that ensure every Michigan resident - through public and private means -- has affordable and comprehensive health care coverage through a fair and comprehensive financing system.
While affordable health care is a paramount issue for AARP, we also believe that affordable access to health care in Michigan isn't necessarily an invitation to single-payer health care coverage.
Many Michigan residents are struggling to afford the health care they need. Too many people in this state are just one major illness or injury away from financial ruin due to the skyrocketing costs of the current system. The threat of rising health insurance premiums and the prospect of losing coverage altogether has become a constant concern for far too many families.
AARP believes that:
All Americans should have access to affordable health care, including prescription drugs, and these costs should not burden future generations.
Wellness and prevention efforts, including changes in personal behavior such as diet and exercise, should be top national priorities.
Americans should have choices when it comes to long-term care - allowing them to maintain their independence at home or in their communities with expanded and affordable financing options.
We need to improve the health care system by making it more affordable, boosting quality and eliminating waste.
Unfortunately, instead of bringing solutions to this problem, politicians have been content to stall, to argue, to criticize and to blame each other. While they play politics, we are left with huge health care bills, health care premiums and deductibles that are climbing through the roof, eroding benefits and little hope of reasonable, common-sense, balanced solutions.
Political gridlock needs to end now. AARP Michigan urges individuals, businesses and elected officials to cooperate and work together to create solutions that benefit all generations.
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