AARP Urges U.S. Senate to Support and Pass Landmark Health Care Reform
Legislation
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. House of
Representatives' historic vote on health care reform was a decisive step to
fix our broken health care system - but for millions of Americans struggling
with soaring health care costs the Senate must take the next step, and pass
the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and the Medicare
Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961). Over 3 million Illinoisans stand to
particularly benefit from key provisions in the bill.
"AARP is dedicated to ensuring the passage of a comprehensive health care
reform plan," said Merri Dee, State President for AARP Illinois. "Older
Illinoisans are struggling every day with skyrocketing premiums and
prescription drug costs, and AARP can say with confidence that the Affordable
Health Care for America Act will bring relief for many of them."
Nearly 1.6 million Illinoisans depend on Medicare for stable, affordable
health care. The House plan will protect Medicare benefits for these
individuals, while also improving Medicare drug coverage and access to
preventative services.
In 2007, 32% of Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois fell into the Medicare Part
D coverage gap known as the "doughnut hole." The House bill will reduce brand
name drug costs by 50% for individuals in the "doughnut hole" and will take
immediate steps to eliminate the "doughnut hole" entirely by 2019. This could
add up to a savings of $2,000 next year for Illinoisans facing high drug
costs.
The House plan will also provide relief for 273,000 uninsured Illinoisans ages
50-64, and another 207,000 Illinoisans in the same age group who depend on the
individual market for insurance coverage, by preventing insurance companies
from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, or charging exorbitant
premiums based on age.
In addition, as many as 1,022,000 Illinoisans in this age group may be
eligible for subsidies that will make premiums more affordable.
"The time for health care reform is now," added Dee. "Illinoisans and all
Americans have waited too long for a solution to our nation's health care
crisis."
SOURCE AARP Illinois
Gerardo Cardenas, +1-312-458-3609; or Heather Heppner, +1-312-458-3623, both
of AARP Illinois
