AARP Thanks House Committee For Working To Improve Care For The Most Vulnerable Seniors

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 22 Jun 2011 - 1:00 PDT

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AARP Legislative Policy Director David Certner released this statement during today's hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on the health and long-term care needs of people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as "dual eligibles."

"We commend the subcommittee for taking up this important topic, and we appreciate their bipartisan work to improve the care of people in both Medicare and Medicaid. The millions of Americans who qualify for both programs include not only low-income seniors, but formerly middle-class individuals who have exhausted their retirement savings on health and long-term care and now rely on Medicaid to help pay for their care at home or in a nursing home.

"Seniors in these two programs present some of the greatest opportunities-and challenges-to improve the quality of health and long-term care while reducing waste and inefficiency in the process. By better coordinating their care and encouraging higher quality care, we can keep our most vulnerable seniors healthier and out of the hospital.

"We look forward to working with the subcommittee members and their colleagues in Congress, in the states and at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve care for dual eligibles and ensure these seniors and their advocates have a place at the table as those improvements are discussed and implemented."

Source:
AARP

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