[Note: today's guest blog is by Deborah Banda, State Director, AARP Massachusetts]
At AARP, we hear countless heartbreaking stories from our members who can’t get affordable health care coverage or who can’t afford their prescription drugs. We know that health care is among the most important and personal economic issues they face.
AARP is fighting for national health care reform that will:
- Protect guaranteed Medicare benefits.
- Crack down on insurance company abuses like denying affordable coverage because of age or medical history.
- Prevent anyone coming between a patient and their doctor.
- Help provide the long term care services and supports that people need to remain in their homes and communities as they age, and out of more expensive care.
- Lower prescription drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, the dreaded “doughnut hole.”
This year alone, more than 300,000 Bay State seniors may face $3,610 in added out-of-pocket health care costs because of that Medicare coverage gap. AARP is fighting for national health reform that will close the doughnut hole so seniors can afford the medicine that keeps them healthy and out of more expensive care – so that they don’t have to make the painful choice between paying rent, putting food on the table or refilling a prescription.
Massachusetts has much to be proud of when it comes to health care reform, but for the sake of all Americans, there is much more work to be done. We have come too far to give up, and that’s a message Congress must hear.
As members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation think about how they will vote on national health care reform, let me point out what a “no” vote will mean.
A “no” vote on health reform is:
- A vote against strengthening Medicare.
- A vote against lowering prescription drug costs for seniors.
- A vote against giving American families and small businesses control over their health care from insurance companies.
- A vote against improving long-term care so Americans can live independently in their homes and communities.
The bills for national health care reform that have been passed by Congress contain many elements that have been embraced by both Democrats and Republicans in the past – including insurance market reforms, reducing prescription drug costs, and expanding home and community-based care.
We’re counting on our elected officials in Massachusetts to put their constituents’ health first, and vote “yes” for national health care reform.
HCFA adds: Thanks Deborah and AARP for all your work for quality coverage for seniors. We’ve set up a site, NationalHealthReformIsGoodForMA.org with tools so you can sign an electronic petition, or call or send an email to your Representative.
Now is the time. Click on the site, take action, and spread the word.
