Health Care Reform Is Near

The rumors proved to be true. Both AARP and the AMA have endorsed the Democratic health care bill. Go here for comparison of Democratic and Republican plans.

Obama Victory Celebration Bash

We attended an Organizing for America party last night which celebrated the 2008 victory for Obama. There is much work to do to pass healthcare legislation. Please call Jim Cooper’s office today to encourage him to vote the health care reform bill. It is reported that Bart Gordon, another Democratic Tennessee congressman, is voting against the bill. So much for blue dogs.

It is rumored that AARP will openly endorse the bill. Yeah, AARP. Although we are watching our spending due to unemployment, I renewed my AARP membership. I’m glad I did. I had heard that some over 50s had canceled their membership due to AARP’s push for health care reform this year. I did not want my not renewing be construed in that camp. Plus I enjoy their benefits and publications.

Vote for health care for all.

Fact Versus Fiction on Healthcare

AARP supplied this handy MythBuster on Healthcare:

Notice from Barry Jackson of AARP

I received this email from AARP, which is worth sharing:

FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.

Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP’s position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we’re standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.1

FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.

Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.2

FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.

The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.3

FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama’s plan.

In fact, we haven’t endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We’re working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans – and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.4

So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?

1. Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
2. Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
3. Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
4. Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.

Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.