Health Care Teletown Hall Informs AARP SD Members

Thousands of South Dakotans concerned about health care were connected with Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin by phone for a town hall conversation on health care June 17th. Through the use of broadband technology, nearly 4,200 AARP members in South Dakota took part in the call discussing a range of topics on health care from affordability, long-term care and cost containment.
 
“We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s commitment to the issue of health care and for her participation in this important discussion. We can’t fix the economy without first fixing health care,” said Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP South Dakota. “This call gave our members an opportunity to hear what’s happening in Washington with regard to health reform and gave Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin an opportunity to hear first-hand personal stories and health care challenges South Dakotans face each day.”
 
AARP South Dakota staff participated in the call from the AARP South Dakota state office in Sioux Falls, while Rep. Herseth Sandlin participated from Washington, D.C. During the call, Rep. Herseth Sandlin said she is optimistic that health reform can be accomplished this year.
 
“The status quo is unacceptable. We can’t sustain it. We can’t financially sustain it at the federal government. We can’t sustain a system that is broken, in which the outcomes are worse than Costa Rica,” said Rep. Herseth Sandlin. “We can’t sustain it for our families’ financial health.”

The Congresswoman added that while differences over how to pay for reform have yet to be worked out, she is believes health reform will happen. “I think the seriousness of the administration, the stakeholders, and Congress makes me think we can get it done.”

Listen to clips from the call.

As Congress hammers out the details of health-care reform legislation, AARP members are watching to ensure that the final bill will help older Americans by:

• Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64
• Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole"
• Creating a Medicare-transition benefit to help patients safely return to their homes after hospital stays—thus preventing costly hospital readmissions
• Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home- and community-based services through Medicaid, so older Americans can remain in their homes—thus avoiding expensive nursing homes
• Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs—thus lowering the prices of these costly treatments
• Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need

To see how AARP members are getting involved in health reform, go to Health Action Now.