Rep. Baron Hill blamed groups “outside Indiana” for spreading what he called disingenuous claims about the impact health care reform would have on Medicare.
Since voting in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the House, Hill said he’s heard from several Southern Indiana senior citizens that are worried about what the measure would entail for their Medicare benefits.
Hill said many seniors have been misled by groups such as 60 Plus Association into believing their Medicare coverage would be devalued by the proposed health care reform that is now being considered by the Senate.
“The Affordable Health Care for America Act will not result in cuts to Medicare benefits,” Hill, a Democrat, said. “Even the nonpartisan outlet FactCheck.org called such claims about Medicare cuts ‘simply rubbish.’”
If passed, the reform would impact Medicare patients by lowering drug costs, ensuring free preventive care, and eliminating copayments.
The act would also “ensure Medicare is affordable for those with low and modest incomes.”
The group 60 Plus Association is basically the antithesis of AARP — which has endorsed the health care reform measure. With television ads running in several districts of House Democrats that voted in favor of the act, 60 Plus Association has come out in staunch opposition to the package. The House version of the reform proposes $500 billion in savings in Medicare costs over a 10-year run — money that would be saved by cutting down on fraud and waste.
But Rep. Jim Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat, voted against the plan in the House in part because he believes it won’t balance spending.
“Medicare’s current unfunded liabilities are some $37 trillion, and Medicaid is close behind at around $35 trillion. This is money we don’t have, money we’ll have to borrow from foreign countries or raise here at home through tax increases,” Oberstar said.
As health care continues to be one of the hottest issues in the nation, those against the reform have increased efforts to lobby against its passage since the House approved the bill.
The biggest health insurer in the nation, UnitedHealth Group, asked its 75,000 employees this week to write letters to their senators asking them not to vote for the act.
Though Hill has already voted, he said he's still open to discuss the health care act.
“I would encourage those with questions about this bill and how it might impact them to please contact my office,” Hill said.
Clark County
Hill: Health care reform won’t cut into Medicare
Hill blames anti-health care groups for spreading false rhetoric
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Half of Jeffersonville Fire Department overtime budget already gone
During the closing moments of the meeting Councilman Matt Owen said he was shocked by Mayor Moore’s plans and comments pertaining to two Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Department matters reported in the News and Tribune during the last week.
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Charlestown resident makes appeal for filtration plant
“I understand that manganese is a secondary contaminant and it’s not something that’s necessarily harmful to health,” Burchett said. “I would much prefer that the water that comes into my home have as little manganese in it as possible, as well as anything else. I just want water.”
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 7, 2012
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Student sues to wear breast cancer bracelet
An Indiana eighth-grader sued his school district in federal court Monday for the right to wear a bracelet promoting breast cancer awareness with the message “I (heart) Boobies.”
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Elderly man robbed outside Jeffersonville bank
The man returned to his car and sat down to close the car door when Williams grabbed the door and reached inside the vehicle, Hollis said.
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A fair fee? Indiana imposing fees for 4-H participants for the first time
Allen said his hope is the fee being charged by the state and the county will be enough to cover costs and that 4-H members will not be asked to cover any more expenses.
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“They have never had to pay a program fee,” Allen said. - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 6, 2012
- Feb 5, 2012
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CAPITOL CROSSROADS: Bauer tactics unite, divide outnumbered Dems
Democrats like Rep. Peggy Welch, who was drawn into a more Republican district last year, refused to boycott with Bauer.
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Greater Clark begins Fitness Calendar Challenge
Teresa Stengel, health services coordinator, said if other family members get involved with students, children might be more likely to continue with exercise routines and watching their diets.
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Man struck, killed on I-65
The preliminary investigation shows Jones was struck by a northbound Chevrolet Penske rental van driven by Patrick Shroering, 26, of Mount Washington, Ky.
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