AARP Applauds House Health Insurance Reform Vote

Group Praises Progress but Notes Work is not Finished

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. House of Representatives on March 21st voted to move forward with a package of health care reforms that will bring needed relief to millions of Americans struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs and discriminatory insurance company practices.  By passing this legislative package, Members voted to protect and improve the guaranteed benefits that people in Medicare rely on and make progress toward ending the rampant discrimination used by insurers to deny coverage to those who need it most.

AARP sent a letter to each House office informing them that the Association designated the March 21st vote on the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 as an "AARP Key Vote."  AARP is reporting back to its members and the public how each Representative votes on this legislation.

"AARP commends Illinois' Democratic Representatives for their historic vote to improve the Medicare prescription drug benefit so seniors will no longer have to choose between paying for food and other necessities and taking the medication they need to stay healthy," said AARP State Director Bob Gallo. "By voting 'yes,' the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation voted to help ensure Americans 50-plus can get the care and medications they need at a price they can afford."

"On the other hand, we're extremely disappointed that the Illinois Republican Delegation voted against health care reform," said Gallo.  "The alternative to reform is doing nothing, and that is neither acceptable nor sustainable."  

"But the job is not finished," Gallo added. "The Senate must act quickly to pass key changes enacted today by the House of Representatives that address key priorities of our members and all older Americans.  Most importantly, these changes include a measure to close the dreaded gap in Medicare drug coverage known as the 'doughnut hole.'  The Senate must seize this opportunity to ensure that no one in Medicare is ever again forced to split pills in half, or go without the medicines they need."

AARP notified the 111th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members and all Americans.

AARP members and all older Americans can see how their representatives voted on health care reform by going to 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.

SOURCE AARP Illinois