Jan. 20, 2010
Senior Advocacy Organizations Talk about Why Health Reform is Good for Them
Little Rock Ark. – Today, about 75 Arkansas senior citizens gathered over lunch at the Little Rock Hilton Hotel to refute the myths that opponents of certain health care reform measures have used to plant fear in older Americans. Many seniors fear that health care reform jeopardizes their traditional Medicare benefits.
“There is so much focus on the so-called cuts to Medicare that people aren’t focusing on the many improvements in Medicare that are included in health reform bills,” said Mindy Morrell of the Pulaski County League of Women Voters, event emcee and panel moderator.
Tom Shircliff, and Arkansas volunteer with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said, “We have come together to make sure seniors have the facts about the health reform bills before Congress. Most importantly, the bills protect seniors’ benefits while strengthening Medicare’s finances. This is critical if we are to keep benefits affordable for today’s seniors and for the future.”
An AFSCME Retirees representative, Justin Nickels, pointed out that health care reform will keep doctors from taking a big cut in Medicare reimbursement rates this year so you’ll always be able to keep your doctor and find new doctors when you need them. “I’m sure you all know about the big coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug (Part D) program, known as the “doughnut hole.” Right now, if you use a lot of prescription drugs and end up in the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, you spend thousands of dollars out of your pocket. The House bill actually closes the doughnut hole over time, and the House and Senate bills cut the price of brand name drugs by 50 percent in the doughnut hole.”
Jerry Lancaster, AARP Arkansas Executive Council member said, “Our goal today is to let seniors know that they shouldn’t fear health reform, but embrace it. The bills before Congress will provide meaningful long term care coverage that would provide a cash benefit to people so they can choose the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home.” Lancaster added that health care reform will strengthen Medicare’s finances and allow it to serve seniors far into the future. If we do nothing, he said, Medicare is headed for a Trust Fund shortfall by 2017.”
Today’s event featured a 30-minute panel presentation on health care reform. The panelists are all quoted in this news release), a roundtable discussion in the audience, two video presentations and lunch.
The event was sponsored by the Seniors to Seniors coalition, a group of more than 20 senior citizen advocacy organizations all committed to educating seniors about what the current health care reform legislation means for them. The coalition’s goal is to help filter through the clutter and the hype to educate seniors about how health care reform will benefit them
Jan. 7, 2010
Senior Advocacy Organizations Talk to Seniors about Why Health Reform is Good for Them
HARTFORD, CT – More than 200 Connecticut seniors gathered at a local restaurant in Hartford on January 7 to listen to a panel of leaders from various senior organizations discuss pending health care reform. The panel gave a status update, answered questions about the health care legislation passed by Congress and provided seniors with information about how reforms will benefit them by protecting guaranteed Medicare benefits, keeping doctors in Medicare, improving long-term care choices, keeping Medicare affordable, and closing the prescription drug “doughnut hole”.
Brenda Kelley, AARP Connecticut State Director said, “Our goal today is to let seniors know that they shouldn’t fear health reform, but embrace it. The bills before Congress, while not perfect, will provide meaningful relief for older Americans by protecting Medicare, lowering out-of-pocket costs and improving access to affordable, quality health care services.”
The event was sponsored by the Seniors to Seniors coalition, a group of more than 20 senior citizen advocacy organizations all committed to educating seniors about what the current health care reform legislation means for them. The coalition’s goal is to help filter through the clutter and the hype to educate seniors about how health care reform will benefit them. Today’s event took place at the Chowder Pot IV restaurant in Hartford and featured an hour-long presentation, followed by a video and lunch.
Panelists included:
Barbara Kennelly, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, said, “The political tug-of-war over health care reform has created fears and misgivings among older Americans. Medicare is too important to politicize. We have come together to make sure seniors have the facts about the health reform bills before Congress. Most importantly, the bills protect seniors’ benefits while strengthening Medicare’s finances. This is critical if we are to keep benefits affordable for today’s seniors and for the future.”
Judith Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, which has been representing Medicare beneficiaries since 1986, said, “We have a unique insight into what works and what is needed to improve Medicare. By removing overpayments to private plans, closing the Part D ‘Doughnut Hole,’ adding preventive coverage, and increasing reimbursement for physicians, health reform will help today’s older people and preserve the program for future generations.”
Mary Elia of the Alliance for Retired Americans said, “The type of scare tactics and misinformation aimed at senior citizens, designed to manipulate them into acting against their own best interests, should be criminal. Instead of frightening people, we need to help seniors understand that the bills under consideration will actually improve Medicare now and for the future.”
Bonnie Gauthier, secretary of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) said, “As people age, it is critical that they have access to long-term care services and supports that can help them remain independent and at home. We’re pleased that the current health care reform bills include a transformational long-term services and supports insurance program (CLASS). CLASS is an affordable, accessible and fiscally solvent way to provide these services and reduce Medicaid costs at the same time.”
