A Message on Health-Care Reform From the AARP President

A message to you from the AARP President

By: Jennie Chin Hansen | Source: AARP The Magazine | November & December 2009

Q: Can you assure me that health care reform will not allow government to "pull the plug" on seriously ill patients?

A: Yes, I can. The simple truth is that every health care reform plan Congress is debating—and any plan AARP would support—ensures that you and your doctor are the only ones who make end-of-life decisions.

Unfortunately, some special interest groups are using myths and other scare tactics to try to block health care reform. The most disgraceful of these fables is that government will somehow acquire the power to set up "death panels" that could order seriously ill patients to be euthanized. In fact, this goes well beyond a myth: it's an outright lie.

The falsehood arose from a House bill provision that would allow Medicare to pay doctors for voluntary counseling sessions with patients. This counseling would include getting information about living wills, naming a friend or relative you trust as your health care proxy, and learning about the benefits offered by hospice care.

There's an urgent need for voluntary end-of-life counseling that is both thoughtful and compassionate. Many terminally ill patients and their families need supportive, accurate information. For example, most patients know frighteningly little about managing pain through competent palliative care. The result is often unnecessary suffering for patients and their loved ones.

AARP research shows most people want to die pain-free, in their own home, surrounded by family. They want to be cared for by a good physician and other caregivers who know them well and listen to their concerns and wishes. Patients nearing the end of life want to preserve their personal dignity and receive the treatment they request. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Other outrageous myths being spread by those who want to obstruct health care reform: that reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare, or result in a government takeover. Every one of these statements is false.

AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and learn what health care reform really means for you and your family. Whenever we see special interests using scare tactics, we'll make sure you've got the facts you need to make informed decisions. Health care reform shouldn't be about politics. It's about lives—yours, mine, and those of our loved ones.

AARP is fighting to ensure that health care reform improves Medicare by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" and by eliminating fraud and wasteful spending so that Medicare is accessible and affordable now as well as for our children and grandchildren.

We are fighting to end discrimination by preventing insurance companies from denying you coverage because of a preexisting condition, or forcing Americans 50 through 64 to pay unaffordable premiums.

And we are fighting to ensure that all Americans have the security of knowing that they can find affordable, quality health insurance even if they change or lose jobs.

Above all, we're fighting for health care reform legislation that guaran-tees you a choice of dependable, affordable health insurance—along with a doctor you can count on who will work with you to make the best possible treatment choices for you and your family. 

Jennie Chin Hansen
President, AARP

Have a question about AARP?
Send it to:
Dear Jennie
AARP
601 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
or e-mail DearJennie@aarp.org.

And check out Jennie's blog at shAARPsession.com.