Medicare Trigger Ignores Real Problem Of Skyrocketing Health Care Costs - Medicare's Troubles Can Only Be Solved By Systemic Health Care Reforms

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 25 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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AARP's Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy, issued the following statement on a scheduled vote today in the House of Representatives to consider a bill brought on by the Medicare "trigger":

"The Medicare trigger is an unfortunate and misguided effort that could do more harm than good. That's why AARP supports the legislation being considered today by the House that would delay trigger action.

"Medicare's financial woes are symptomatic of the runaway costs of the overall health care system. Medicare's troubles can only be solved by systemic health care reforms.

"Arbitrary Medicare cuts will needlessly hurt millions of Americans without addressing the core problems. If Congress is serious about controlling spiraling health care costs, the way to go about it is to have a thoughtful debate on the systemic drivers of health care costs in this country, not to take a meat axe to Medicare in the middle of the night. Congress is gearing up for that debate next year, and we look forward to working on serious, bipartisan efforts to reform our health care system."

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.

http://www.aarp.org