Statement by AARP CEO Bill Novelli on Medicare
Legislation Discussions
Nov. 14, 2003 - Several ideas being discussed in
the Medicare conference committee could be a way to find common ground
in the long-stalled negotiations over a Medicare prescription drug
benefit.
We believe that it is imperative that both parties
in both Houses of Congress give broad support to final legislation that
will add prescription drug coverage and make other improvements in
Medicare.
Some have criticized AARP for calling for
bipartisan compromise on the issues, but this criticism is misguided.
Our members and all Medicare beneficiaries need help now. The time for
broken promises is over. While we would not support legislation that
would jeopardize Medicare for today's generation of beneficiaries or
generations to follow, we have the opportunity now to provide some
relief to millions of older Americans. If this legislation is not
enacted this year, a major opportunity will have been lost and politics
will have triumphed over policy and public health.
We are encouraged by the prospect of adding
additional incentives to persuade employers to continue to provide
health benefits to their retirees.
Also, the idea of a premium support demonstration
(or test of comparative costs) which is limited in duration and
location, with strict standards of accountability and low-income
beneficiary protections, could strike a balance on the most intensely
debated issue in the conference.
AARP urges that not only the conferees, but all
members of Congress work towards an agreement that could be enacted with
broad bipartisan support this year.
In the limited time remaining, we intend to
continue to work with both sides to achieve the best possible
legislation for our members and all Americans. |
