Sep 11 2009
The following is a statement by James Firman, President & CEO, National Council on Aging:
NCOA applauds President Obama's call for universal health care. Older Americans with Medicare know first-hand the benefits of universal coverage -- and they should be in the forefront of efforts to secure the same rights for their children and grandchildren.
More than 40 years ago, NCOA was instrumental in passing Medicare and helping educate older adults about its benefits. We are pleased that tonight, the President assured America's seniors that they won't experience cuts in Medicare benefits as a result of reform. Such assurances are critical to securing support from seniors for health reform. However, the "devil is in the details," and we will study those details closely and work to ensure that the bills being developed by Congress protect and strengthen the program.
We also support the President's position that Medicare savings should be used to improve Medicare prescription drug coverage. NCOA will work to simplify Medicare Part D, make it more consumer-friendly, and encourage meaningful competition among insurance companies. We are pleased that the House health reform bill also would reinvest Medicare savings to help reduce rapidly rising out-of-pocket costs for older adults of modest means and improve access to preventive services.
Finally, we agree with the President's call for improvements to Medicare's delivery system in an effort to promote efficiency and increase value. NCOA is working with members of Congress and the White House to include provisions that will empower older adults with chronic illnesses to better manage their care through proven community-based programs that will reduce medical costs.
NCOA believes that older adults should support plans to ensure universal access to health care insurance for Americans of all ages. It's fair, it's needed, and -- if done right -- it should be good for older adults themselves.
Source: http://www.ncoa.org
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