TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009
Health care reform myths aim to scare seniors

By ROBBY STERN
of the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans

On Monday, 160 seniors gathered at the Auditorium of Machinists District Lodge 751 to do something that is in short supply in the debate regarding health care reform: set the record straight on the shameful exaggerations and outright lies that have been communicated to seniors by those trying to kill health care reform.

The discussion at the Machinists Hall today was quiet, thorough and based on the language in the proposed legislation. Participants on the panel included David Loud from Rep. Jim McDermott’s office; Sen. Karen Keiser, chair of the state Senate Health Care Committee, and Rep. Eileen Cody, chair of the House Health Care Committee.

Seniors asked their questions and received answers. For example, one attendee asked, "Does the proposed legislation cut Medicare benefits?" 

The answer, no, it does not. In fact, the legislation enhances Medicare by, among other things, eliminating co-pays associated with preventative care. The legislation also would slowly close the Medicare Part D prescription drug donut hole, beginning with a $500 reduction in the cost scheduled to occur in 2011 and then gradually closing the donut hole over a period of years.

Another asked, "How do they intend to wring savings from Medicare and Medicaid?"

There would be a renewed focus on fraud and abuse and overbillings in the Medicare and Medicaid systems. Additionally, discharges of seniors from hospitals before they are medically stable results in many expensive re-admissions. The legislation penalizes hospitals who show a high rate of re-admissions. Finally, the legislation puts great emphasis on preventative care which will lead to significant cost savings as many seniors will receive medical attention before their medical condition becomes more complicated.

What about the "death panels" described by Sarah Palin and other right-wing advocates for the status quo? 

There are none, of course. This is pure fabrication and a shameful effort to scare seniors. The legislation provided compensation to providers if their patient chooses to discuss ahead-of-time how they want to be treated when they become terminally ill, sometimes called a "living will" or "instructions to physicians." (Because many seniors have been frightened into believing the "death panel" lie, negotiators in the U.S. Senate have removed this common-sense provision from their version of the legislation.)

There were many more questions and answers regarding issues like long-term care (it isn't in the House version of the legislation, but is in the Senate version), the availability of dental and vision care (no change from the present Medicare benefits for seniors, usually covered by supplemental), and what are the next steps we should take.

Everyone was urged to call your U. S. Senators and Representative and tell them that we want them to pass health care reform in 2009 with a strong public option. Also, attendees were urged to attend town hall meetings the next few weeks (see the schedule above), and to join with other seniors on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at the headquarters of KVI Radio at 5th and Denny to tell them to stop trying to scare seniors.

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