While the House and Senate both stepped up by passing bills that strengthen the State Health Insurance Program for children last month,
the Senate bill failed to address critical Medicare issues, particularly when it comes to lower-income senior citizens.
As the conference committee meets to work out differences, the Senate and the House must be encouraged to pass a bill that includes a intergenerational health care package, taking steps toward affordable, quality care for all.
Medicare beneficiaries are being forced to bear the burden of a flawed health care system. Medicare premiums have more than doubled since the year 2000, while the system denies prescription drug help to those with modest lifetime savings.
Older Americans deserve better treatment and they shouldn't be punished for working hard and saving for retirement!
Encourage Congress to adopt Medicare improvements and stop leaving senior citizens behind.
Dear [Decision Maker],
I strongly support the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act (H.R. 3162). This well-balanced, fiscally responsible legislation addresses several priority issues for AARP's nearly 39 million members and their families.
The legislation provides needed assistance to low-income Medicare beneficiaries; helps to ensure that beneficiaries maintain access to physicians; protects beneficiaries from significant additional increases in the Part B premium; covers millions of children in working families that cannot afford health insurance on their own; and includes additional changes that will improve the quality and efficiency of our nation's health care system.
[Your comment here]
We appreciate your leadership and look forward to working with you to enact the bill into law this year. I have a strong interest in knowing how my elected officials vote on key issues that affect older Americans and their families.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
