AARP Praises House Passage of Health Care Reform Bill
Critical legislation would strengthen Medicare, improve coverage for
all Americans
HARRISBURG, Penn., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
SUMMARY: Last night the United States House of Representatives passed
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.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) makes
prescription drugs more affordable for seniors by closing the dangerous gap
in Medicare drug coverage and allowing the program to negotiate lower drug
prices. It adds cost-free preventive services like cancer screenings and
cracks down on waste and fraud to protect and strengthen traditional
Medicare benefits. In addition, the legislation provides benefits to help
seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and
communities by establishing the Community Living Assistance Services and
Supports (CLASS) program.
For all Americans -- especially those age 50 to 64 who often struggle
to find affordable insurance -- this plan strictly limits how much more
insurance companies can charge based on age, and stops insurers from
denying coverage based on a person's health history or gender. For those
who still cannot find affordable coverage on their own, this bill offers
help so they can purchase insurance.
PENNSYLVANIA VOTED YES ON THE VOTED NO ON THE
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
FOR AMERICA ACT FOR AMERICA ACT
------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
Altmire, Jason X
Brady, Robert X
Carney, Christopher X
Dahlkemper, Kathy X
Dent, Charles X
Doyle, Mike X
Fattah, Chaka X
Gerlach, James X
Holden, Tim X
Kanjorski, Paul X
Murphy, Patrick X
Murphy, Tim X
Murtha, John X
Pitts, Joseph X
Platts, Todd X
Schwartz, Allyson X
Sestak, Joe X
Shuster, Bill X
Thompson, Glenn X
** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his
or her legislative performance, which should also include such things
as constituency services and committee work.
"We applaud those members of the House who supported this crucial
legislation," said Dick Chevrefils, AARP Pennsylvania State Director. "This
bill will help millions of older Americans get the health coverage they
need, while strengthening Medicare for today's seniors and future
generations. We look forward to working with these lawmakers to pass the
Affordable Health Care for America Act this year."
"It's also disappointing that some lawmakers voted against this bill
and the opportunity to fix our health care system," Chevrefils added. "When
millions of older Americans are struggling to afford quality insurance and
millions of seniors must choose between their prescriptions and other
necessities, we know this legislation must move forward. We hope they will
reconsider their votes when a health care bill returns to the House for
final approval."
AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes
on key legislation important to its nearly 40 million members and reporting
the outcomes of these votes back to its members.
"When Americans understand the issues and where their lawmakers stand,
they can make smart decisions. AARP will be there to give our members, as
well as all Americans, the most accurate information we can," Chevrefils
concluded.
AARP members can see how their representatives voted on health care
reform by going to http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch. AARP's Government Watch is
a one-stop online portal that will be tracking and publicizing every
designated key vote on issues facing Americans age 50-plus. A "Key Vote
Summary" highlighting votes on these issues will be published at the end of
each congressional session.
AARP has 1.9 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have
independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable
to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public
office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.
We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and
the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers;
AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members
and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S.
publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our
website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides
security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support
from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices
in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
Contact: Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or (717) 319-5484 or sgardner@aarp.org
