AARP Pennsylvania Key Vote News Alert

AARP Praises House Passage of Health Care Reform Bill

Critical legislation would strengthen Medicare, improve coverage for all
Americans

HARRISBURG, Penn., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

SUMMARY: Last night the United States House of Representatives passed critical
health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and
end discrimination by insurance companies that prices millions of Americans
out of affordable health coverage.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) makes prescription
drugs more affordable for seniors by closing the dangerous gap in Medicare
drug coverage and allowing the program to negotiate lower drug prices. It
adds cost-free preventive services like cancer screenings and cracks down on
waste and fraud to protect and strengthen traditional Medicare benefits. In
addition, the legislation provides benefits to help seniors and people with
disabilities live in their own homes and communities by establishing the
Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program.

For all Americans -- especially those age 50 to 64 who often struggle to find
affordable insurance -- this plan strictly limits how much more insurance
companies can charge based on age, and stops insurers from denying coverage
based on a person's health history or gender. For those who still cannot find
affordable coverage on their own, this bill offers help so they can purchase
insurance.

PENNSYLVANIA VOTED YES ON THE VOTED NO ON THE
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
FOR AMERICA ACT FOR AMERICA ACT
------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
Altmire, Jason X
Brady, Robert X
Carney, Christopher X
Dahlkemper, Kathy X
Dent, Charles X
Doyle, Mike X
Fattah, Chaka X
Gerlach, James X
Holden, Tim X
Kanjorski, Paul X
Murphy, Patrick X
Murphy, Tim X
Murtha, John X
Pitts, Joseph X
Platts, Todd X
Schwartz, Allyson X
Sestak, Joe X
Shuster, Bill X
Thompson, Glenn X

** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his
or her legislative performance, which should also include such things
as constituency services and committee work.

"We applaud those members of the House who supported this crucial
legislation," said Dick Chevrefils, AARP Pennsylvania State Director. "This
bill will help millions of older Americans get the health coverage they need,
while strengthening Medicare for today's seniors and future generations. We
look forward to working with these lawmakers to pass the Affordable Health
Care for America Act this year."

"It's also disappointing that some lawmakers voted against this bill and the
opportunity to fix our health care system," Chevrefils added. "When millions
of older Americans are struggling to afford quality insurance and millions of
seniors must choose between their prescriptions and other necessities, we know
this legislation must move forward. We hope they will reconsider their votes
when a health care bill returns to the House for final approval."

AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key
legislation important to its nearly 40 million members and reporting the
outcomes of these votes back to its members.

"When Americans understand the issues and where their lawmakers stand, they
can make smart decisions. AARP will be there to give our members, as well as
all Americans, the most accurate information we can," Chevrefils concluded.

AARP members can see how their representatives voted on health care reform by
going to www.aarp.org/governmentwatch. AARP's Government Watch is a one-stop
online portal that will be tracking and publicizing every designated key vote
on issues facing Americans age 50-plus. A "Key Vote Summary" highlighting
votes on these issues will be published at the end of each congressional
session.

AARP has 1.9 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and
control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a
whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make
contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP
The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's
largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin,
the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+;
AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated
exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP
Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and
empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of
volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Contact: Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or (717) 319-5484 or sgardner@aarp.org

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania

Steve Gardner, AARP PA, +1-717-237-6481, or +1-717-319-5484,
sgardner@aarp.org