TPMDC
AARP To Reid: Congrats On Your Bill, But We're Still Thinking
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
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The good folks at AARP endorsed the House health care bill, and it seems likely that they'll do the same with the Senate bill. But they're not ready just yet. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid obtained by TPMDC, AARP CEO Addison Barry Rand says the senior citizens association wants tonight's vote to succeed, but is still evaluating the proposal.
"This comprehensive, health reform legislation moves us one important step closer to enacting historic legislation to control skyrocketing costs, improve quality and expand access to affordable care," the letter reads. "We strongly urge the Senate to vote for cloture this Saturday to begin debate on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.... After further analysis, we will send you a more detailed letter of our views of the legislation."
You can read the entire thing here.
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Maritza
November 21, 2009 3:32 PM
AARP wants the Senate bill to CLOSE the donut hole. In order to that the Senate MUST scuttle the stupid PhRMA plan with the White House and instead must give the government the authority to negotiate prices with PhRMA as well as get generic drugs and even drugs from Canada.
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artgurrl
November 21, 2009 4:40 PM in reply to Maritza
Now that is a bill in and of itself worth voting 'yes' for.
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Tanjaoui
November 21, 2009 4:42 PM in reply to Maritza
That would be great. I never understood how the President had the authority to make that pledge anyway. (How did he??)
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izzatxeaux
November 21, 2009 6:56 PM in reply to Maritza
fyi - Senator Dorgan is set to introduce a floor amendment that scuttles the WH/PhRMa deal - allowing for importation from Canada, among other issues
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8536
House version does close the doughnut hole - will have to take a peek at some notes to see if Senate's version does
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Andreams
November 21, 2009 5:51 PM
I hope AARP will work to keep the age ratio as it reads in the House bill, or better yet, get rid of the age discrimination. The bill has addressed gender discrimination, pre-x discrimination, but older people are left out in the cold. As the Senate bill reads now, if we are offered the same policy as younger employees, the employer will not be able to deduct all of their contribution. Does anyone believe this is going to happen? Older people will not only have to pay a fortune for insurance, we'll be less likely to be able to find employment. And the final insult is that the Wyden amendment, which I had high hopes for, has dropped individuals from the eligibility criteria.
Here's my current situation:
current premium for 24 year old male - $201.12. For the same policy, the premium for a 60 year old is $1,348.17. If congress keeps the age ratio that's in the bill now, by the time you factor in the gender and pre-x issues, my premium will still be around the same amount. It will be considered a Cadillac. That's sad.
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