Health reform draws callers

By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer

July 09, 2009 04:00 am

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A local congressman called for reform to ensure affordable health care during his first telephone ``town hall'' meeting Wednesday.

Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-NY, spoke to constituents in a session arranged by AARP, which is lobbying for health care reform with a focus on coverage for older Americans.

At its peak, more than 6,600 listeners were on the line. During the half-hour teleconference, three constituents were connected with Arcuri through the toll-free number. Of the three callers, one was able to speak with the congressman; the other two calls were lost.

After the call ended, 250 listeners said they wanted more information from the congressman, and 175 left voice-mail messages for him, said Jay Biba, Arcuri's press secretary and special-projects coordinator. According to Biba, the session was a ``great'' success.

``We're planning on doing more over the summer,'' Biba said. Health care is likely to be addressed in other sessions, he said, as well as other relevant topics.

Arcuri and AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, share views pertaining to overhauling the nation's health care system, according to Biba, who said he worked with forum moderator Erin Mitchell, AARP New York associate state director of community outreach, to organize Wednesday's session.

On Wednesday, Arcuri told constituents the path to health care reform is along competitive avenues among insurance companies, and that introducing a public option could improve the system. He said it is ``critically important'' for people satisfied with their insurance plans to be able to keep them, including senior citizens who have secondary coverage after Medicare insurance.

The goal is to provide stable health care coverage, costs and quality, while allowing patients to choose the best doctors with whom they feel comfortable, Arcuri said.

``We're a capitalist society,'' he said. ``We want to stay that way.''

In Washington, lawmakers are wrangling over reform proposals. President Obama wants to sign a comprehensive health care bill this fall, but lawmakers have questions and disagreements about the complex legislation.

Arcuri told constituents Wednesday to contact him and their other representatives about questions and views they have about health care coverage and programs.

``This is an open debate _ we want to make things better,'' Arcuri said. ``We need to ensure all Americans have quality, affordable heath care.''

In the 24th Congressional District, there are 90 assisted-living centers, 12 hospice and palliative-care centers, and 42 nursing homes, according to Arcuri's website.

Arcuri also reviewed two proposed bills. Arcuri's legislation, the Identity Protection Act, is designed to protect seniors from identity theft that can destroy financial security and leave seniors without resources. He also recently reintroduced the Long-Term Care Life Safety Act to provide nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and hospices with federal funding to upgrade fire-safety measures.

AARP polled listeners during the call, and of those responding, 44 percent said they feared losing their health insurance, and 41 percent said they postponed care to save money.

In a media release, AARP stated that the health care discussion offered a ``once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'' to create a more efficient system for beneficiaries and taxpayers.

In the release, AARP stated that priorities to be in a final health care reform package include:

Ensuring Medicare's strength in the future, including closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or "doughnut hole," creating a transition benefit to prevent costly hospital readmissions.

Increasing Medicaid funding and eligibility for home- and community-based services so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more-costly institutions.

Creating a system for approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of costly treatments.

Increase the Medicare "asset-test" limits so people who saved for retirement can still receive assistance.