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Health Care Reform Government Finance Officers Association. David Sloane Senior Vice President Government Relations & Advocacy AARP November 20, 2009. About AARP. About AARP.
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Health Care Reform Government Finance Officers Association David Sloane Senior Vice President Government Relations & Advocacy AARP November 20, 2009
About AARP • Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives. • Offices in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. • Advocate for 50+ population. • Change in AARP leadership from Bill Novelli to Barry Rand in 2009. 3
Health care Economic security Housing Transportation Our Members Care About … 4
History Repeated attempts to strengthen healthcare in America • 100 years in the making • Some success (Medicare) and many failures (1994) • Priority since day one of Obama administration 6
Health Reform in 2009 Increase affordable and accessible care Prevent discrimination Improve system delivery (chronic care coordination) Invest in infrastructure (Health IT) 7
2009 versus 1994 White House • Bill on President's desk by end of year • $900 billion price limit • Legislating left to Congress • Stakeholders at the table 8
Key Stakeholders PhRMA PROVIDERS/ DOCTORS INSURERS BUSINESS UNIONS CONSUMERS/ PATIENTS 9
Process • Both Chambers tasked with creating and voting on a bill: • 3 committees in the House • 2 committees in the Senate • House and Senate merge bills through conference • Final bill signed by the President 10
State of Play • Senate & House completed committee work • House passed a health reform bill, 220-215 • Senate has not begun debate on bill (next week?) • Bill by Christmas unlikely 11
Public Mood • More support than oppose reform • Support split down party lines • Women and independent voters are key 12
Controversial Issues • Public plan • Abortion and immigration • Financing options 13
History • NRTA & AARP founded to provide health insurance to teachers and older adults. • Medicare & Medicaid • Medicare Rx • Social Security Ethel Percy Andrus 15
Divided We Fail • Helped to put health care & financial security to the top of the agenda during election & secure commitment to action in 2009 • Appeal to center and bipartisanship • Strange bedfellows 16
AARP Priorities for Health Reform • Increase affordability for 50-64 • Protect traditional Medicare for 65+ • Lower out of pocket prescription drug costs and improve Medicare benefits • Improve long-term care • Help low income 50+ 17
AARP 2009 Campaign • 1.3+ million petitions • 147k+ calls to Congress • 70k+ personal stories • 455 townhalls and 150 teletownhalls • Endorsed House bill 3962 (as did AMA, AHA, Cancer, Heart & Consumers Union) 18
Learn More healthactionnow.org 19