Legislation Will Help Hundreds of Thousands of Idahoans Struggling with High
Rx Costs, Medicare Gaps & Soaring Insurance Premiums
BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the debate over health care
reform reaches a fevered pitch and the House readies to vote on critical
health care reform legislation in the coming days - AARP is calling on Idaho's
U.S. Representatives to support the bill. The AARP-backed Affordable Health
Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which will close the Medicare prescription
drug "doughnut hole" and tackle soaring insurance premiums, serves to help
hundreds of thousands of Idahoans.
The legislation addresses several key issues at the center of the health care
reform debate: soaring insurance premiums, high prescription drug costs and
gaps in Medicare coverage. Tackling the issues will help provide relief for
Idaho's 212,000 Medicare beneficiaries, 221,000 uninsured (88% of who have
jobs), state part-time workers expected to get hit with massive premium hikes,
state retires losing health care and residents, families and businesses across
the state facing rising premiums and shrinking incomes.
"For Idaho residents living on the brink - who can't afford their prescription
drugs, have to live without health insurance or are struggling with soaring
premiums for themselves and their families - this legislation will bring
needed relief," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. "AARP
is urging Idaho's U.S. Representatives to set politics aside, and focus on the
needs of their constituents and support this critical step towards real health
care reform."
Key provisions of the Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) include:
-- Lower drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare prescription drug
"doughnut hole" and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices -
27% of Idaho's Medicare beneficiaries fell into the "doughnut hole"-
stuck paying 100% of their Rx costs.
-- Provide benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in
their own homes and communities - Idaho continues to cut budgets for
these critical safety-net programs.
-- Provide affordable health insurance options for those who don't have
insurance or can't afford it - 221,000 Idaho residents are uninsured,
88% have jobs (75% have full-time jobs), but costs are simply too high
for many.
-- Reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program.
-- Require Medicare and insurance companies to provide free preventive
services such as screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.
-- Prevent insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of
their age, gender or health.
-- Limit how much insurance companies can make people pay out-of-pocket.
"It's time for Idaho's members of Congress to step up to the plate on health
care reform - this issue will only get worse with inaction," added Wordelman.
SOURCE AARP Idaho
David Irwin of AARP, +1-208-855-4004, cell: +1-208-850-4502
