AARP -- Health Care Reform

I recently finished up an interview with AARP regarding how their awesome program 'Prepare to Care' assisted me when I was tasked with taking care of my mother once my father was once again placed in the nursing home. I thought it was just going to be a true / false answer-thing but when I received the list of questions I realized that I'd signed onto a much larger mission; one that I couldn't easily slip out of. Soon I found out that they're sending over a PHOTOGRAPHER! I promise to sign copies for all my fans (LOL).

So, now that I'm in the AARP loop I'm privy to other kinds of stuff that I want to share with my fan base such as where they (we?) fall in supporting the health care reform issues. I received this email that helps debunk many of the myths that are flying around:

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?

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

Aren't these great objectives? I completely support AARP and hope you do too. You can find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.