American Association Of Retired Persons Thanks House For Protecting People In Medicaid, Urges Senate To Follow

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 23 Apr 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) thanked the cosponsors and supporters of the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, which is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives today. The bill prevents massive increases in costs for people in Medicaid by stopping harmful cuts proposed by the administration. A statement from AARP Vice President Elaine Ryan follows:

"Today's vote is a victory for Americans who rely on Medicaid as the safety net of our health care system, and we thank the House for its overwhelming, bipartisan support of the bill. In this tough economy, low-income Americans are hit particularly hard. This bill will protect people from losing coverage for health care services they need but cannot afford.

"We particularly thank the more than 200 cosponsors and the 46 members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who put partisanship aside to do what is right for those relying on Medicaid. While we recognize that fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid must be reduced to bring down the cost of health care, the cuts proposed by the administration go too far and only shift the bill to the people in Medicaid, rather than addressing the root of the problem.

"We urge the Senate to move swiftly and pass its companion bill to protect the one in six Americans who rely on Medicaid from what state Medicaid directors estimate would be nearly $50 billion in cuts. With 47 million Americans already uninsured, now is not the time to put even more vulnerable people in harm's way."

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 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 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.

American Association of Retired Persons