Wednesday
Oct282009
House GOP'ers Fight To Save Senior Benefits
Travis Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and fellow Republicans argued on Wednesday against cuts in benefits for Medicare and Medicare Advantage recipients.
“Poll after Poll shows that America’s seniors are the group that has the greatest concerns about government takeover of health care, that’s because proposals cut Medicare benefits that seniors rely on,” said Boehner.
The Republican Leader used Wednesday's press conference to promote the his party's healthcare website, healthcare.gop.gov, where users can view “better solutions” to fix the nation's health care system.
House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), who also attended the press conference, invoked words from President Barack Obama’s campaign.
Responding to then-Senator Obama's pledge that Americans who like their health care plan would not be forced to give it up, Pence said, “ I guess he wasn’t talking about American senior citizens," adding that "under recent legislation, $162 billion will be cut from the popular Medicare Advantage."
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and fellow Republicans argued on Wednesday against cuts in benefits for Medicare and Medicare Advantage recipients.
“Poll after Poll shows that America’s seniors are the group that has the greatest concerns about government takeover of health care, that’s because proposals cut Medicare benefits that seniors rely on,” said Boehner.
The Republican Leader used Wednesday's press conference to promote the his party's healthcare website, healthcare.gop.gov, where users can view “better solutions” to fix the nation's health care system.
House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), who also attended the press conference, invoked words from President Barack Obama’s campaign.
Responding to then-Senator Obama's pledge that Americans who like their health care plan would not be forced to give it up, Pence said, “ I guess he wasn’t talking about American senior citizens," adding that "under recent legislation, $162 billion will be cut from the popular Medicare Advantage."
AARP Endorses House Health Care Bill
AARP CEO A. Barry Rand announced Thursday that the lobbying organization for seniors' interests is endorsing the House health care bill.
“On behalf of our nearly 40 million members, AARP is pleased to endorse the Affordable Health Care for America Act,” Rand said during a press conference.
Rand said the House bill improves and strengthens Medicare benefits and protects the program for future generations. He also said the bill restricts insurance companies from discriminating against older Americans.
"The Affordable Health Care for America Act...meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage,” said Rand.
The House is preparing to vote on this bill as soon as Saturday.
Rand added, “As members of the House gear up for this historic vote, they will hear from older Americans.”
AARP is the largest membership organization for people over 50.