Health Care Reform in Wyoming

AARP members in Wyoming and across the country are volunteering as "myth busters" in the debate over federal health care reform. The volunteers with AARP are attempting to help people understand health care reform proposals amid allegations that the plan will ration care and reduce Medicare benefits.

AARP has received several calls from those 65 and older in Wyoming who are concerned about what they've heard. The good news, AARP Wyoming President Les Engelter says, is that the only Medicare issues in the federal proposals on health care are beneficial, such as narrowing the "doughnut hole" in prescription drug coverage.

"Medicare is really being protected. If there are changes, there are going to be positive changes made," he says.

Engelter says another benefit for Medicare recipients includes an after-hospitalization care component to try to curtail the high re-admission rate for those who have been treated at a hospital.

"This should help them make that transition to home, whereby their medications can be monitored, and they can receive proper food, proper care, and the time to recover," he says.

Claims that health care reform will lead to socialized medicine is another myth. The proposals before Congress preserve the employer-based system of private insurance for most people while offering an option for those turned down by private insurance companies, or those who cannot afford private market offerings.

Congress heads back into session Sept. 7, and will begin debating the proposals in more depth. AARP is monitoring the debate closely to ensure that our six priorities for health reform are included in the plan. The six priorities include:

1. Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64;

2. Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or “doughnut hole;”

3. Lowering drug costs through generic biologics;

4. Reducing costly hospital re-admissions through a Medicare follow-up care benefit;

5. Developing a better system for long-term care; and

6. Helping low-income Americans.

On September 9, AARP Wyoming will be answering questions about health reform at the Jackson Senior Center and Dr. Bill Thomas, creator of the alternative nursing home “Green House” concept will be speaking in Jackson.

If you have any questions about health reform, call the AARP Wyoming office at 1-866-663-3290, or send an email to wy@aarp.org. We also encourage you to visit AARP’s two Web sites devoted to the myths and facts about Health Reform. Visit Health Action Now and Get the Facts at the links above.