Health Care Reform: SEIU makes seniors a priority

Many of our clients, family and friends rely on Medicare to get the care they need. As Congress debates health care reform SEIU care providers have an important role to help make strengthening and improving Medicare a priority so that those we care about will not have to worry about losing benefits or increased costs.

SEIU Retiree and AARP volunteer, Al Youse authored this piece for the Statesman Journal on the recently passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (AHCAA) and the companion Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act. In his editorial Mr. Youse said:

“These bills embody the essential elements of reform — affordability, comprehensiveness and choice. They are good for those of us on the sunny side of 50 because they enhance and protect our access to care. As AARP pointed out in its endorsement of the bills this week, they would strengthen and protect Medicare now and into the future, lower prescription costs for seniors stuck in the Part D "doughnut hole," attack systemic waste as well as abuse and fraud, cover preventive services, prevent insurers from discriminating on the basis of age or pre-existing conditions or dropping people after they become sick, and add benefits that will allow more ailing seniors and people with disabilities to remain at home.”

The House of Representatives took the correct action and passed the AHCAA. Now it is up to the Senate to finish the job and ensure that our elected officials pass health care reform.

We all know that it isn’t going to be easy. The enemies of health care reform are trying to scare seniors and others who depend on Medicare for their health care coverage.

That is why SEIU is part of a broad coalition called Seniors to Seniors that is committed to educating seniors about why the current health care reform legislation will be good for Medicare and good for those who use the program, today and for future generations. The coalition’s goal is to help filter through the clutter and the hype to educate seniors about how health care reform will help keep doctors in Medicare, stop physician payment cuts, improve long-term care choices, keep Medicare affordable, and close the prescription drug “doughnut hole.” To learn more, visit www.seniorstoseniors.org, and watch the video, which features three members of SEIU!