ST. LOUIS, MO ( KPLR )—
The senior advocacy group AARP is playing a dual role these days when it comes to health care issues. Using its newsletter and web site, the organization is trying to help citizens understand the complicated national debate on health care reform. At the same time, local chapters continue to link seniors with area resources.Wednesday the Missouri AARP chapter sponsored a health fair at the Missouri Botanical Gardens targeting individual health and living needs of seniors. Those attending found flu shots, blood pressure and osteoporosis screenings, as well as information on a range of services from home health care to estate planning.
Norma Collins, Missouri AARP Advocacy Director, presented a seminar on Medicare's prescription drug program and how to cut costs by turning to generic medicines. "We do know there are a lot of people on limited incomes who are concerned about the cost," she said.
AARP has yet to take a stand on the four health care reform bills now before Congress. But the organization did let the Senate Finance Committee know what segments of the bill AARP would support and which proposals would be detrimental to senior citizens. Among the concerns, finding a way to insure those over age 50 who have pre-existing conditions and reducing premiums charged to seniors.
AARP does support efforts fight Medicare fraud and to trim the funding for the Medicare Advantage program and use those dollars to beef up regular Medicare.
Several seniors attending the health fair said they want Congress to write the laws so everyone can understand them without needing a law degree. Retired firefighter Ray Tockstein of Webster Groves criticized politicians working on health care reform. "They are making decisions but the public can't understand what they are really doing," he said adding, "they don't define it in any way." St. Louis city resident Marcia Schonhoff wants health care reform but does not like the current direction it is taking. "I don't believe in government run health care," she said.
Read The AARP's Materials on Health Care Reform Here.
