AARP Supports Medicare Cuts in Senate Healthcare Bill

December 1, 2009

McCain claims cuts to Medicare would impact seniors' access to quality care

A. Barry Rand, AARP's CEO said: "AARP believes that savings can be found in Medicare through smart, targeted changes aimed at improving healthcare delivery, eliminating waste and inefficiency, and aggressively weeding out fraud and abuse." Of note: Medicare was signed into law in 1965.

The Senate plans to vote Thursday dealing with two issues: how to guarantee additional benefits for women and how to take half a trillion dollars out of Medicare over the next ten years without affecting older Americans.

Senator Coburn (R-OK) is seeking to strike a provision to the healthcare bill added by Mary Landrieu (D-LA) that would provide her state with $300 million in additional Medicaid subsidies in what appears to be a concession to have Landrieu vote in favor of starting the healthcare debate. Senate Republicans have long opposed Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) for adding Hurricane assistance in the chambers bill.

Other stories of interest in the December 3, 2009 NAHU Newswire are:

• Cobra extension seen as vital for families in need
• Two-thirds of surveyed employers expect to implement changes to avoid "Cadillac tax."

<<- Return to News