5 Things Every Retired American Should Know About Healthcare Reform

November 10, 2009

 1. Reform will protect your access to your doctor.Next year, Medicare funding for doctor payments is scheduled for a 20 percent cut. Reform will prevent that cut and help ensure that your doctor keeps seeing Medicare patients. 

2. Reform will help save thousands of dollars of “Doughnut Hole” costs. In 2007, 8 million seniors got hit with “doughnut hole” prescription drug fees under Medicare Part D. President Obama’s proposals include discounts of at least 50 percent to reduce those costs for senior citizens. 

3. Reform will protect traditional Medicare Services – not “Ration” care. Obama’s proposals would end overpayments to private insurance companies and use those savings to strengthen traditional Medicare. None of the proposals in Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase out-of-pocket costs for traditional Medicare services. 

4. The “Death Panels” are a myth. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Rush Limbaugh continue to make false claims about a proposal to give seniors more control over their end-of-life care.

In reality, reform would mean that Medicare would give individuals the option of providing advanced care directives to their medical professionals, and cover the cost of the consultation. This empowers individuals - not the government - to make their own decisions.

Republicans are joining Democrats in debunking the “death panel” distortions. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said there is “no reason to gin up fear in the American public” with these false claims. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) said Palin’s claims are “nuts.”

Sources: AARP.org, healthreform.org

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Public Service Commission to Hold Public Meetings

September 14, 2009

The Michigan Public Service Commission will be holding a series of public forums throughout the state.  Please view the linked document to find the time and place of these meetings.

 Public Service Commission Meetings
 

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