Expressions of dismay over the Senate Finance Committee health care reform bill echo from all sides, but there is still hope that hard work and compromise will achieve results. Sen. Olympia Snowe, an important voice in this debate, has not yet endorsed the committee’s bill, but praised “the real and substantial groundwork for bipartisan cooperation.”
Despite the disagreements over specifics, there is a strong consensus that reform is needed. As one example, officials from AARP Maine said the organization remains strongly committed to the reform effort, and discounted fears raised at health forums that those who rely in Medicare will be shortchanged.
During a meeting with editors at the Journal Tribune this week, representatives of AARP’s Maine chapter outlined the importance of health reform to the people of this state. State Director Nancy Kelleher said that although the AARP is pressing several priorities, the primary goal is to enact a reform bill.
AARP represents people over 50 ”“ a substantial part of Maine’s population. The organization says 15 percent of the state’s population is over age 65 and 21 percent is between the ages of 50 and 64. These age groups face a higher risk of chronic illness, and for those under 65, obtaining affordable health insurance can be a serious challenge.
Nearly 20 percent of Mainers between 50 and 64 have no health insurance, putting both their health and life savings at risk. One of AARP’s priorities for reform is to guarantee access to affordable coverage for Americans in this age group. The organization has several other priorities, including closing a coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, and encouraging more Medicaid funding for home-based care to allow elderly people to continue living at home.
Others press for different priorities, but there is wide agreement that today’s system is not working well for anyone. Although few may be enthusiastic about the compromises in the Senate Finance Committee bill, it aims at two essential targets: reducing health care costs and ensuring affordable coverage for all. At this point, it looks like our best hope for taking a first step toward a better system.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 or kristenm@journaltribune.com or nickc@journaltribune.com.
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