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
-
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
-
Former employee sues Jeffersonville
The suit references a city policy, in which employees are supposed to receive a $100 stipend for each day they’re on call.
Continued ... -
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
Continued ... -
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
Continued ... - May 24, 2012
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
Continued ... - ISP arrests five at Clark County roadblock
- May 23, 2012
-
Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
Continued ...
-
