AARP believes the Obama administration and Congress must work together on a comprehensive health-reform plan that guarantees all Americans the choice of quality health care plans they can afford.

AARP Praises Senators for Moving Health Reform Forward

AARP praised the Senate for voting to continue progress on the health reform debate by supporting a procedural motion that will advance timely passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. AARP urged the Senate to vote to move towards an up-or-down vote on its bill so that it can work with the House of Representatives to build a final health care reform bill that will: lower drug costs for seniors, inluding closing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; protect and improve guaranteed Medicare benefits and strictly limit discriminatory practices insurance companies use to deny older Americans affordable coverage.

AARP members can see how their Senators voted by clicking here.

AARP Praises Passage of Health Reform

AARP applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing 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.

AARP supports H.R. 3962 because the bill would:

• Protect and strengthen Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations of retirees.

• Ensure seniors can see the doctor of their choice or find a doctor if they need one by improving Medicare's payments to doctors.

• Lower drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" and allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
• Take steps to reduce waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency in the Medicare program.
• Require Medicare and insurance companies to provide for important preventive services like screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis free of charge for those who don't have coverage.
• Prevent insurers from denying affordable coverage to anyone because of their age or health.
• Limit how much your insurance company can make you pay out-of-pocket.
• Provide affordable health insurance options for those who don't have insurance or can't afford it.
• Provide benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities.

You can see how your representative voted by clicking on this link.

80 Million Eyes Watching Health Reform

AARP Members Disappointed by Senate’s Vote to Block Protection of Access to Medicare Doctors:
AARP members were deeply disappointed that legislation to preserve seniors’ access to their doctors was blocked in the U.S. Senate. The Medicare Physicians Fairness Act (S. 1776) would have permanently repealed the system Medicare uses to pay doctors – a flawed system that if left in place will undermine seniors’ ability to get the care they need to stay healthy.

AARP members can see if their Senators voted to protect seniors’ access to choose their doctor and share their feedback by clicking here.

Fact Sheets On Health Care Reform:

• Improving Long-Term Care and Care for Chronic Conditions
• Improving and Strengthening Medicare
• Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable for All Americans
• Health Coverage for 50+ Americans

AARP Endorsed Health Care Legislation:

• Access to Life Saving Medicine Act
• Comparative Effectiveness Research Act
• Independence at Home Act 

Testimonies and Letters

House Testimony

• January 28, 2010: AARP Letter to Congressional Leaders on Health Care Reform
• January 6, 2010: AARP Letter to Sen. Reid-Rep. Pelosi on Health Reform Priorities
• December 14, 2009: Letter to Senate Leadership on Commitment to Close Doughnut Hole
• December 14, 2009: Letter from Senate Leadership on Commitment to Close Doughnut Hole
• December 14, 2009: Group letter to Senator Reid on need to close doughnut hole
• December 3, 2009: Letter to Senate cosponsors of drug importation amendment
• November 5, 2009: Letter on Affordable Health Care for America Act
• October 16, 2009: Joint AARP/AMA letter to Sen. Reid re S. 1776.
• October 15, 2009: AARP Letter to Sen. Reid re HELP/SFC Merger
• September 21, 2009: AARP Letter to Sen. Baucus re SFC Markup
• July 30, 2009: Letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee chair Waxman on AARP priorities
• July 23, 2009: Letter to Waxman, Barton "strongly" backs doughnut hole provisions in H.R. 3200
• May 19, 2009: AARP's Six Key Objectives for Any Health Care Reform Package
• May 19, 2009: Minority Leader McConnell
• May 19, 2009: Speaker Pelosi
• May 19, 2009: Minority Leader Boehner on AARP’s Six Key Objectives for Any Health Care Reform Package
• May 5, 2009: Expanding Coverage in Health Care Reform Testimony 
• June 23, 2009: Increasing Nursing Training Funding, Energy & Commerce Committee
• June 24, 2009: Increasing Nursing Training Funding, Ways & Means Committee

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