AARP Poll: California Members Want Health Care Reform...( SACRAMENTO Calif. Sept. 5 -- Wit...),Health

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With only days remaining in the 2007 legislative session, the health care reform proposals developed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as state legislative leaders, are awaiting action by the Legislature. Both proposals would increase access to health care coverage and the quality of care.

An AARP poll was conducted to help inform policymakers about how AARP members feel about the need for health care reform.

The AARP poll of 802 members in California shows that health care reform is members' top legislative priority. The poll also shows strong support for broad health care reform -- two-thirds strongly agree that all Californians should have access to quality, affordable health care.

The poll clearly demonstrates strong support for immediate action on health care reform in the state. Two-thirds of AARP members believe it is important that the Governor and State Legislature pass a health care reform bill this year, and many will be closely monitoring the vote on health care reform. In fact, many members show a strong correlation between this issue and how they will view their respective legislators -- six in ten are unlikely to re-elect legislators who do not pass a health care reform bill this year. In addition, a significant number of members are unlikely to vote for an extension of term limits for legislators if a health care reform bill is not enacted.

The majority of AARP members in California have problems affording their health care expenses and many are concerned about being able to get access to quality, affordable health care for themselves and their family. Considering that four in five AARP members believe that making health care affordable and accessible should be a top or high priority, the survey indicates that now is the time for California Legislators to pass a health care reform bill that ensures all Californians have affordable, quality health care.
'/>"/>