AARP Calls On Idaho's U.S. Reps To Back House Health Care R...( Legislation Will Help Hundreds of Th...),Health

Legislation Will Help Hundreds of Thousands of Idahoans Struggling with High Rx Costs, Medicare Gaps & Soaring Insurance Premiums

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the debate over health care reform reaches a fevered pitch and the House readies to vote on critical health care reform legislation in the coming days - AARP is calling on Idaho's U.S. Representatives to support the bill. The AARP-backed Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which will close the Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" and tackle soaring insurance premiums, serves to help hundreds of thousands of Idahoans.

The legislation addresses several key issues at the center of the health care reform debate: soaring insurance premiums, high prescription drug costs and gaps in Medicare coverage. Tackling the issues will help provide relief for Idaho's 212,000 Medicare beneficiaries, 221,000 uninsured (88% of who have jobs), state part-time workers expected to get hit with massive premium hikes, state retires losing health care and residents, families and businesses across the state facing rising premiums and shrinking incomes.

"For Idaho residents living on the brink - who can't afford their prescription drugs, have to live without health insurance or are struggling with soaring premiums for themselves and their families - this legislation will bring needed relief," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. "AARP is urging Idaho's U.S. Representatives to set politics aside, and focus on the needs of their constituents and support this critical step towards real health care reform."

Key provisions of the Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) include:

• Lower drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices - 27% of Idaho's Medicare beneficiaries fell into the "doughnu
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