Critical legislation would strengthen Medicare, improve coverage for all Americans

NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SUMMARY: Yesterday the United States House of Representatives passed critical health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that prices millions of Americans out of affordable health coverage.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) makes prescription drugs more affordable for seniors by closing the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage and allowing the program to negotiate lower drug prices. It adds cost-free preventive services like cancer screenings and cracks down on waste and fraud to protect and strengthen traditional Medicare benefits. In addition, the legislation provides benefits to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities by establishing the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program.

For all Americans -- especially those age 50 to 64 who often struggle to find affordable insurance -- this plan strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age, and stops insurers from denying coverage based on a person's health history or gender. For those who still cannot find affordable coverage on their own, this bill offers help so they can purchase insurance.

    NY                                          VOTED YES ON     VOTED NO ON
                                               THE AFFORDABLE   THE AFFORDABLE
                                                HEALTH CARE      HEALTH CARE
                                              FOR AMERICA ACT  FOR AMERICA ACT
    Ackerman, Gary L.; New York, 5th                  X
    Arcuri, Michael A.; New York, 24th                X
    Bishop, Timothy H.; New York, 1st                 X
    Clarke, Yvette D.; New York, 11th                 X
    Crowley, Joseph; New York, 7th                    X
    Engel, Eliot L.; New York, 17th                   X
    Hall, John J.; New York, 19th                     X
    Higgins, Brian; New York, 27th                    X
    Hinchey, Maurice D.; New York, 22nd               X
    Israel , Steve; New York, 2nd                     X
    King, Peter T.; New York, 3rd                                       X
    Lee, Christopher J.; New York, 26th                                 X
    Lowey, Nita M.; New York, 18th                    X
    Maffei, Daniel B.; New York, 25th                 X
    Massa, Eric J.; New York, 29th                                      X
    Maloney, Carolyn B.; New York, 14th               X
    McCarthy, Carolyn; New York, 4th                  X
    McMahon, Michael E.; New York, 13th                                 X
    Meeks, Gregory W.; New York, 6th                  X
    Murphy, Scott; New York, 20th                                       X
    Nadler, Jerrold; New York, 8th                    X
    Owens, Bill; New York, 23rd                       X
    Rangel, Charles B.; New York, 15th                X
    Serrano, Jose E.; New York, 16th                  X
    Slaughter, Louise McIntosh; New York, 28th        X
    Tonko, Paul D.; New York, 21st                    X
    Towns, Edolphus; New York, 10th                   X
    Velazquez, Nydia M.; New York, 12th               X
    Weiner, Anthony D.; New York, 9th                 X

    *  Did not vote

    ** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his
       or her legislative performance, which should also include such things
       as constituency services and committee work.

"We applaud those members of the House who supported this crucial legislation," said Lois Aronstein, AARP NY State Director. "This bill will help millions of older Americans get the health coverage they need, while strengthening Medicare for today's seniors and future generations. We look forward to working with these lawmakers to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act this year."

"It's disappointing that some lawmakers voted against this bill and the opportunity to fix our health care system," Aronstein added. "When millions of older Americans are struggling to afford quality insurance and millions of seniors must choose between their prescriptions and other necessities, we know this legislation must move forward. We hope they will reconsider their votes when a health care bill returns to the House for final approval."

AARP notified the 111(th) Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its nearly 40 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. "When Americans understand the issues and where their lawmakers stand, they can make smart decisions. AARP will be there to give our members, as well as all Americans, the most accurate information we can," Aronstein concluded.

AARP members 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.

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 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 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.

SOURCE AARP